OH HB772

Establishes the Rural Health Transformation Program within the Ohio Department of Health to distribute federal funding for health-related activities in rural areas, authorized under Section 2105 of the Social Security Act and approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Creates the Rural Health Transformation Fund in the state treasury to hold federal funds, with prohibitions against supplanting existing Medicaid expenditures, duplicating state-funded programs, or financing construction of new hospitals.

Qualified entities eligible for funding include hospitals, health care providers, rural health facilities, government agencies, and community partners, with preference given to those promoting collaboration between rural freestanding birthing centers and rural hospitals for maternity services.

Creates a 12-member Legislative Task Force on Rural Health (6 senators, 6 representatives) to monitor program implementation, with members appointed to represent the most rural areas of the state.

Requires the Department of Health to submit annual reports detailing expenditures, number of qualified entities receiving funding, program activities completed, and specific awards made to each recipient.