West Virginia RHTP — Pre-Solicitation Framework

West Virginia received $199,476,099 in Year 1 RHTP funding (~$223/rural resident). The lead agency is the West Virginia Department of Health (the agency formed by the 2024 reorganization of DHHR — not to be confused with the WV Department of Human Services or WV Department of Health Care Finance). Governor Patrick Morrisey has advanced Senate Bill 570 through the legislature to formally appropriate the federal RHTP funds to the DOH — an unusual legislative vehicle that sets WV apart from most RHTP states administering awards through state agency action.

West Virginia consistently ranks last or near-last on most national health indices, including life expectancy, opioid mortality, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer mortality. The $199.5M RHTP award is the largest federal rural health investment in state history. SB 570 was advanced by the House Finance Committee on March 12, 2026 — final passage and Governor signature is the gate event that precedes any sub-grant solicitation release.

A seven-program framework totaling approximately $182.7M was presented to the House Finance Committee. Program names from WV Public Broadcasting legislative reporting (March 12, 2026): Connected Care Grid ($45.9M), Smart Care Catalyst ($45.6M), Personal Health Accelerator ($29M), Health Tech Appalachia ($18.8M), Mountain State Care Force ($14.7M), Health To Prosperity Pipeline ($13.9M), Rural Health Link ($13.8M). These names are NOT confirmed verbatim from SB 570 bill text or a DOH primary document — they may vary slightly from official versions. West Virginia has no federally recognized tribal nations.