U.S. Senator Jon Husted hosted Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz this week for a visit to Mary Rutan Hospital in Bellefontaine.

The visit focused on the importance of rural hospitals and access to health care in smaller communities.

According to Husted’s office, the senator and Dr. Oz toured the hospital and met with leadership at Mary Rutan to discuss rural health care and the funding Ohio is receiving through the Rural Health Transformation Fund.

Husted said many Ohioans in rural communities depend on hospitals like Mary Rutan to access quality care close to home.

“If you want to live in a prosperous community, you need access to good health care,” Husted said.

The Rural Health Transformation Fund was created through federal legislation signed into law on July 4th, 2025. Husted’s office says he supported the creation of the fund to help strengthen Ohio’s network of rural hospitals.

In December of 2025, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services awarded Ohio just over $202 million for Fiscal Year 2026 through the Rural Health Transformation Fund.

Husted’s office says the fund is intended to support rural hospitals, improve health care access, and help families continue receiving care closer to home.

Husted also previously led a letter with Ohio’s Congressional Delegation supporting Ohio’s application to the fund. That letter highlighted proposed investments in the health care workforce, including partnerships ranging from high schools to medical schools, while also encouraging collaboration between hospitals, community health centers, and family physicians.

Husted has continued visiting rural hospitals across Ohio to learn more about how the funding can be used to support facilities and improve care for Ohioans.