DeWine Announces Over $55 Million for Rural Ohio Healthcare Expansion

Gov. Mike DeWine announced that more than $55 million in federal Rural Health Transformation Program awards will improve healthcare access across rural Ohio through three key initiatives: statewide expansion of the OhioSEE vision program, a new OhioDENTAL initiative, and school-based health centers.

The funds are being managed by Governor DeWine alongside the Ohio Department of Health. Currently serving 252 public school districts in high-need areas, OhioSEE will expand to all 88 counties with funding for kindergarten through third-grade vision services via mobile vans or temporary clinics. For eligible counties covering grades K–12, enrollment is expected to reach nearly every district.

OhioDental aims to address barriers preventing children from receiving preventive care. State and federal funds totaling over $17 million will target dental health improvements following data showing Ohio lags behind other states in pediatric oral health visits.

Additionally, the state awarded Ozarks Healthcare in West Plains more than $3.5 million and Texas County Memorial Hospital nearly $990,000 under a broader Missouri-wide infrastructure initiative totaling $39.7 million.