CMS approves budget for GO-NORTH, the state’s federally funded rural health program

June 12, 2026 - 00:58

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has given the green light to New Hampshire's spending plan for a major chunk of federal funding aimed at rural health initiatives, state officials confirmed Thursday. The approved budget covers the GO-NORTH program, a state-run effort designed to channel federal dollars into healthcare services for underserved rural communities across New Hampshire.

State health leaders say the funding will support a range of projects, including expanding access to primary care, improving telehealth capabilities, and recruiting medical professionals to rural areas that have long struggled with shortages. The program is part of a broader federal push to address health disparities in regions where hospitals have closed or reduced services, leaving residents with fewer options for care.

Officials emphasized that the CMS approval marks a critical step, allowing the state to move forward with distributing the money to local health systems and community organizations. Without this sign-off, the funds would have remained tied up in federal bureaucracy. The announcement comes as rural hospitals nationwide continue to face financial pressure, with many relying on programs like GO-NORTH to stay afloat.

New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services will oversee the distribution, with a focus on projects that show measurable outcomes, such as reduced emergency room wait times or increased vaccination rates. The state plans to release a detailed breakdown of funded projects in the coming weeks. For now, the approval signals that the federal government is willing to back New Hampshire's approach to tackling rural healthcare challenges.