Kansas is receiving more than $225 million in additional federal funding to support rural health care.

Governor Laura Kelly announced this week that the state has received $225, 896,000 for the second year of the Rural Health Transformation Program — the sixth-largest award in the nation.

The funding will expand programs aimed at improving rural health care, including grants for regional partnerships, facility improvements and technology.

New initiatives will also help rural Kansans get to medical appointments through non-emergency medical transportation, while another program will provide education, community resources and care consultations for rural Kansans with Alzheimer’s.

Kansas invested $222 million in the program during its first year, including nearly $99 million in grants to rural health care providers and community partners.

The second year of the program began October 31st and runs through October of 2027. The effort focuses on expanding access to care, strengthening the rural health workforce, improving behavioral health services and using technology to improve health care delivery.