Yes. Senator Collins proposed the Rural Health Transformation Program, pushed to expand it to $50 billion, and secured $190 million in first-year funding for Maine — alongside $70,872,000 for Maine hospitals and health centers through the FY 2026 Labor-HHS appropriations bill, signed into law.
What Collins secured for Maine’s rural hospitals:
- Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), 2026: Collins proposed this program and pushed to expand it to $50 billion. Maine received $190 million in Year 1 funding.
- FY 2026 Labor-HHS Appropriations: Collins secured $70,872,000 for Maine hospitals and health centers. Signed into law.
- Collins-Manchin Provider Relief Amendment, 2021: Passed 99-1. Directed 20% of the federal Provider Relief Fund to rural health providers.
Why does this matter?
Maine has the oldest median age of any state and is among the most rural. The RHTP represents the largest federal investment in rural health care in more than 20 years. It should be noted that Collins opposed other provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that led to her vote against the final bill, but her opposition ultimately led to securing the RHTP program as a result of those negotiations.