The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it will award Massachusetts $162 million in federal funding to improve rural health care access and infrastructure. The funding is part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which allocates $50 billion to states over five years.

Massachusetts submitted its application to CMS in early November. In advance of that submission, the Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts responded to a Request for Information in October, urging the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to direct available funds toward improving access, care coordination, workforce supports, and technology for home health, home care, and hospice providers across the Commonwealth.

According to CMS, funding allocations for other New England states include approximately $154.2 million for Connecticut, $190 million for Maine, $204 million for New Hampshire, $195 million for Vermont, and $156.2 million for Rhode Island. Nationally, awards ranged from $147 million in New Jersey to $281 million in Texas.

CMS stated that the funds are intended to help states expand access to care in rural communities, strengthen the rural health care workforce, modernize facilities and technology, and support innovative care delivery models. Importantly, this funding is expected to be eligible for use in home-based care services.

When asked how Massachusetts plans to deploy the funding, a spokesperson for the Executive Office of Health and Human Services said state officials had “just received the notice” and are reviewing next steps.

While the state’s application did not explicitly reference the Alliance’s proposals, it placed strong emphasis on improving coordination between providers and community-based care. The Home Care Alliance will continue advocating for meaningful inclusion of home care, home health, and hospice providers in the use of these funds, in partnership with MassHealth, in the months ahead.