Sarah Jane Tribble
@sjtribble-reports.bsky.social
Journalist. Chief Rural Correspondent, KFF Health News
Signal @ sjtribble_reports.73
Signal @ sjtribble_reports.73
Reposted by Sarah Jane Tribble
Our story has a map/database of state applications to the Rural Health Transformation Program! Proposals include using drones to deliver meds, installing produce refrigerators, + bringing telehealth to libraries+senior centers.
W/ @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
W/ @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
December 2, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Our story has a map/database of state applications to the Rural Health Transformation Program! Proposals include using drones to deliver meds, installing produce refrigerators, + bringing telehealth to libraries+senior centers.
W/ @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
W/ @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
As I type this, states should be in budget negotiations with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services over their RHT (Rural Health Transformation) program ideas, per the notice of funding opportunity.
Deadline for state award announcements: Dec. 31
Deadline for state award announcements: Dec. 31
December 15, 2025 at 4:38 PM
As I type this, states should be in budget negotiations with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services over their RHT (Rural Health Transformation) program ideas, per the notice of funding opportunity.
Deadline for state award announcements: Dec. 31
Deadline for state award announcements: Dec. 31
Reposted by Sarah Jane Tribble
NEWS: Before it cuts $900 billion-plus from Medicaid, Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" sends $50 billion to states for rural health care.
Who wants the money and what they'd do with it is less than transparent. But @ajzionts.bsky.social + @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social are on the case.
Who wants the money and what they'd do with it is less than transparent. But @ajzionts.bsky.social + @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social are on the case.
Our story has a map/database of state applications to the Rural Health Transformation Program! Proposals include using drones to deliver meds, installing produce refrigerators, + bringing telehealth to libraries+senior centers.
W/ @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
W/ @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
December 2, 2025 at 7:50 PM
NEWS: Before it cuts $900 billion-plus from Medicaid, Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" sends $50 billion to states for rural health care.
Who wants the money and what they'd do with it is less than transparent. But @ajzionts.bsky.social + @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social are on the case.
Who wants the money and what they'd do with it is less than transparent. But @ajzionts.bsky.social + @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social are on the case.
Everybody wants a piece of the $50 billion rural health transformation pie. But who is in the room talking to states? My latest from @kffhealthnews.org w/ @ajzionts.bsky.social
www.cbsnews.com/news/states-...
www.cbsnews.com/news/states-...
Concerns over fairness, access rise as states compete for slice of $50 billion rural health fund
Amid public forums and local cries for help, states are also talking with large health systems, technology companies, and others amid intensifying competition for shares of a $50 billion fund to impro...
www.cbsnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Everybody wants a piece of the $50 billion rural health transformation pie. But who is in the room talking to states? My latest from @kffhealthnews.org w/ @ajzionts.bsky.social
www.cbsnews.com/news/states-...
www.cbsnews.com/news/states-...
States are vying for a share of $50B in federal rural health funding. But "if what we end up with is we have a wearable for every rural patient, I don't think that's transformational," says @ruralhealth.bsky.social 's Brock Slabach.
www.cbsnews.com/news/states-...
www.cbsnews.com/news/states-...
States jostle over $50 billion rural health fund as Trump's Medicaid cuts trigger scramble
States are battling for their piece of $50 billion in federal rural health funding, but it's not just hospitals vying for the money. Tech startups and policy demands are raising the stakes as Medicaid...
www.cbsnews.com
October 16, 2025 at 3:13 PM
States are vying for a share of $50B in federal rural health funding. But "if what we end up with is we have a wearable for every rural patient, I don't think that's transformational," says @ruralhealth.bsky.social 's Brock Slabach.
www.cbsnews.com/news/states-...
www.cbsnews.com/news/states-...
"You could see lives change," says @samhelmick.bsky.social for the American Library Association @librarypolicy.bsky.social.
Helmick talked with me about $2.75 Digital Equity Act funding that was scrapped after Trump tweeted it was "unconstitutional."
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Helmick talked with me about $2.75 Digital Equity Act funding that was scrapped after Trump tweeted it was "unconstitutional."
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Trump Called Digital Equity Act ‘Racist.’ Now Internet Money for Rural Americans Is Gone. - KFF Health News
President Donald Trump called the Digital Equity Act unconstitutional, racist, and illegal. Then the $2.75 billion program for rural and underserved communities to gain internet access disappeared.
kffhealthnews.org
October 10, 2025 at 5:28 PM
"You could see lives change," says @samhelmick.bsky.social for the American Library Association @librarypolicy.bsky.social.
Helmick talked with me about $2.75 Digital Equity Act funding that was scrapped after Trump tweeted it was "unconstitutional."
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Helmick talked with me about $2.75 Digital Equity Act funding that was scrapped after Trump tweeted it was "unconstitutional."
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Love that @alabamareflector.com picked up my latest. Shout out to @rchapoco.bsky.social , who is covering broadband at the local level. And to former Reflector staffer @alander.bsky.social who treated me to an unforgettable lunch in Montgomery while I was reporting my Dead Zone series
Via Sarah Jane Tribble & KFF Health News : A 91-year-old learns to check health portals; a 7-year-old finally can do homework. They were among rural residents helped by a digital navigator, until President Trump abruptly canceled the Digital Equity Act’s dollars. https://ow.ly/TAp450X8KR7
October 9, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Love that @alabamareflector.com picked up my latest. Shout out to @rchapoco.bsky.social , who is covering broadband at the local level. And to former Reflector staffer @alander.bsky.social who treated me to an unforgettable lunch in Montgomery while I was reporting my Dead Zone series
Reposted by Sarah Jane Tribble
NEW: Trump's signature legislation is cutting $1 trillion from Medicaid. But even before those cuts hits, states are slashing their programs.
It's already making it harder for one North Carolina mom to find care for her disabled son
w/ @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social
It's already making it harder for one North Carolina mom to find care for her disabled son
w/ @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social
States Are Cutting Medicaid Provider Payments Long Before Trump Cuts Hit - KFF Health News
North Carolina and Idaho are cutting their Medicaid programs to bridge budget gaps, raising fears that providers will stop taking patients and that hospitals will close even before the brunt of a new ...
kffhealthnews.org
September 22, 2025 at 4:35 PM
NEW: Trump's signature legislation is cutting $1 trillion from Medicaid. But even before those cuts hits, states are slashing their programs.
It's already making it harder for one North Carolina mom to find care for her disabled son
w/ @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social
It's already making it harder for one North Carolina mom to find care for her disabled son
w/ @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social
"We are hurting ourselves in North Carolina way ahead of the game, way before we need to do this," NC's former Chief Medical Officer told me.
Reporting w/ @realbrambo.bsky.social for @kffhealthnews.org
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Reporting w/ @realbrambo.bsky.social for @kffhealthnews.org
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
States Are Cutting Medicaid Provider Payments Long Before Trump Cuts Hit - KFF Health News
North Carolina and Idaho are cutting their Medicaid programs to bridge budget gaps, raising fears that providers will stop taking patients and that hospitals will close even before the brunt of a new ...
kffhealthnews.org
September 22, 2025 at 8:19 PM
"We are hurting ourselves in North Carolina way ahead of the game, way before we need to do this," NC's former Chief Medical Officer told me.
Reporting w/ @realbrambo.bsky.social for @kffhealthnews.org
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Reporting w/ @realbrambo.bsky.social for @kffhealthnews.org
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
"All we're doing is keeping the lights on," said a former employee of the federal Health Resources and Services Administration.
www.cbsnews.com/news/staff-c...
www.cbsnews.com/news/staff-c...
Deep staff cuts at a little-known federal agency pose trouble for droves of local health programs
The workforce of a federal agency that oversees billions in grants for primary health care, AIDS/HIV, maternal and child health services, and workforce training has been slashed, sparking fears of wha...
www.cbsnews.com
July 31, 2025 at 2:41 PM
"All we're doing is keeping the lights on," said a former employee of the federal Health Resources and Services Administration.
www.cbsnews.com/news/staff-c...
www.cbsnews.com/news/staff-c...
$50B Rural Health ‘Slush Fund’ Faces Questions, Skepticism
YouTube video by KFF Health News
youtube.com
July 25, 2025 at 11:38 AM
So much fun reporting this story. And there is so much more to be discovered.
The Republican megabill designates $50 billion to “transform” rural health, but concerns and skepticism abound.
@sjtribble-reports.bsky.social reports for KFF Health News + @marketplace.org. ⤵️ www.marketplace.org/story/2025/0...
@sjtribble-reports.bsky.social reports for KFF Health News + @marketplace.org. ⤵️ www.marketplace.org/story/2025/0...
$50 billion rural health ‘slush fund’ raises questions, skepticism
Lawmakers added a $50 billion program for rural health to President Donald Trump’s massive tax and spending package with promises it would help plug the hole left by Medicaid cuts. Rural hospital and ...
www.marketplace.org
July 21, 2025 at 3:25 PM
So much fun reporting this story. And there is so much more to be discovered.
An op-ed from The Aspen Institute's Health Strategy Group. Signed by the co-chairs - one a Democrat, the other a Republican.
www.usnews.com/opinion/arti...
www.usnews.com/opinion/arti...
www.usnews.com
July 2, 2025 at 9:25 PM
An op-ed from The Aspen Institute's Health Strategy Group. Signed by the co-chairs - one a Democrat, the other a Republican.
www.usnews.com/opinion/arti...
www.usnews.com/opinion/arti...
Such a great place to think about big ideas for #ruralhealth.
June 24, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Such a great place to think about big ideas for #ruralhealth.
What is happening with $42 billion in federal broadband money? The word "chaos" was used by one expert.
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Trump Team’s Reworking Delays Billions in Broadband Build-Out - KFF Health News
A Trump administration reworking of a $42 billion broadband expansion program will trigger delays as millions of rural Americans wait for promised connections and the telehealth services they bring.
kffhealthnews.org
June 20, 2025 at 2:52 PM
What is happening with $42 billion in federal broadband money? The word "chaos" was used by one expert.
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Want to understand why news today around a $42.5 billion broadband program matters?
@kffhealthnews.org has a video: youtu.be/ozfN49rHhjY?...
@kffhealthnews.org has a video: youtu.be/ozfN49rHhjY?...
In a ‘Dead Zone,’ Doctors Don’t Practice and Telehealth Doesn’t Reach
YouTube video by KFF Health News
youtu.be
June 6, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Want to understand why news today around a $42.5 billion broadband program matters?
@kffhealthnews.org has a video: youtu.be/ozfN49rHhjY?...
@kffhealthnews.org has a video: youtu.be/ozfN49rHhjY?...
While I have interviewed a lot of doctors, I don't think I've ever had one interview me! Thx @joelbervell.bsky.social for the insightful chat about rural health and broadband connectivity.
www.commonwealthfund.org/publications...
www.commonwealthfund.org/publications...
In Rural America, a Weak Signal Can Mean Worse Health
On The Dose podcast, journalist Sarah Jane Tribble explains how limited broadband access is worsening chronic illness in many rural communities.
www.commonwealthfund.org
June 6, 2025 at 3:58 PM
While I have interviewed a lot of doctors, I don't think I've ever had one interview me! Thx @joelbervell.bsky.social for the insightful chat about rural health and broadband connectivity.
www.commonwealthfund.org/publications...
www.commonwealthfund.org/publications...
The battle continues. Sens. Schumer, Cantwell, Luján sent a letter to Trump's administration last week demanding the immediate release of $42 billion.
In a ‘Dead Zone,’ Doctors Don’t Practice and Telehealth Doesn’t Reach
YouTube video by KFF Health News
youtu.be
June 4, 2025 at 2:12 PM
The battle continues. Sens. Schumer, Cantwell, Luján sent a letter to Trump's administration last week demanding the immediate release of $42 billion.
Reposted by Sarah Jane Tribble
Nearly 3 million people live sicker & die earlier in more than 200 U.S. counties (@KFFHealthNews.org) @michellerathman.bsky.social @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social @caressejbskysocial.bsky.social discuss "Dead Zones," NTCA's Josh Seidemann shares how providers are working to close connectivity gaps.
June 2, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Nearly 3 million people live sicker & die earlier in more than 200 U.S. counties (@KFFHealthNews.org) @michellerathman.bsky.social @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social @caressejbskysocial.bsky.social discuss "Dead Zones," NTCA's Josh Seidemann shares how providers are working to close connectivity gaps.
Thank you for being a joy to work with @hannahnorman.bsky.social.
Millions of rural Americans live in counties with doctor shortages and where high-speed internet connections aren’t adequate to access advanced telehealth services.
My latest @kffhealthnews.org video with @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social: kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
My latest @kffhealthnews.org video with @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social: kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Watch: In a ‘Dead Zone,’ Doctors Don’t Practice and Telehealth Doesn’t Reach - KFF Health News
Chief rural health correspondent Sarah Jane Tribble explains how millions of rural Americans live in counties with doctor shortages and where high-speed internet connections aren’t adequate to access ...
kffhealthnews.org
June 4, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Thank you for being a joy to work with @hannahnorman.bsky.social.
Would the 68-year-old stroke survivor use telehealth if she could? Yes.
But she can't. Our latest "Dead Zone" story out of West Virginia explains why.
Tagging my partners @caressejbskysocial.bsky.social @hollyhacker.bsky.social
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
But she can't. Our latest "Dead Zone" story out of West Virginia explains why.
Tagging my partners @caressejbskysocial.bsky.social @hollyhacker.bsky.social
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Flawed Federal Programs Maroon Rural Americans in Telehealth Blackouts - KFF Health News
Taxpayers — through federal infrastructure programs — have paid billions of dollars to internet companies to hook up rural Americans. Some communities have nothing to show for it, leaving medically vu...
kffhealthnews.org
May 15, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Would the 68-year-old stroke survivor use telehealth if she could? Yes.
But she can't. Our latest "Dead Zone" story out of West Virginia explains why.
Tagging my partners @caressejbskysocial.bsky.social @hollyhacker.bsky.social
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
But she can't. Our latest "Dead Zone" story out of West Virginia explains why.
Tagging my partners @caressejbskysocial.bsky.social @hollyhacker.bsky.social
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Tomorrow, our "Dead Zone" investigation continues. This time @caressejbskysocial.bsky.social and I take you to West Virginia to meet Ada Carol Adkins. We look at why it's taking so long to get connectivity despite billions in federal infrastructure dollars.
@investigatetv.com
@kffhealthnews.org
@investigatetv.com
@kffhealthnews.org
May 13, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Tomorrow, our "Dead Zone" investigation continues. This time @caressejbskysocial.bsky.social and I take you to West Virginia to meet Ada Carol Adkins. We look at why it's taking so long to get connectivity despite billions in federal infrastructure dollars.
@investigatetv.com
@kffhealthnews.org
@investigatetv.com
@kffhealthnews.org
While a federal $42 billion broadband program faces uncertainty, we visited a rural hospital waiting for a fast-enough connection.
NEW TODAY: Our latest w/ @kffhealthnews.org @investigatetv.com, @caressejbskysocial.bsky.social
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
NEW TODAY: Our latest w/ @kffhealthnews.org @investigatetv.com, @caressejbskysocial.bsky.social
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Rural Hospitals and Patients Are Disconnected From Modern Care - KFF Health News
Technological gaps handicap rural hospitals as billions in federal funding to modernize infrastructure lags. The reliance on outdated technology and piecemeal systems challenge staffs and erode patien...
kffhealthnews.org
April 9, 2025 at 11:31 AM
While a federal $42 billion broadband program faces uncertainty, we visited a rural hospital waiting for a fast-enough connection.
NEW TODAY: Our latest w/ @kffhealthnews.org @investigatetv.com, @caressejbskysocial.bsky.social
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
NEW TODAY: Our latest w/ @kffhealthnews.org @investigatetv.com, @caressejbskysocial.bsky.social
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Reposted by Sarah Jane Tribble
Tomorrow: We continue our “Dead Zone” series. In collaboration with @kffhealthnews.org, we highlight how lack of high speed internet is impacting our rural hospitals. An issue that leaves people already battling chronic illnesses at a disadvantage. @investigatetv.com @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social
April 8, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Tomorrow: We continue our “Dead Zone” series. In collaboration with @kffhealthnews.org, we highlight how lack of high speed internet is impacting our rural hospitals. An issue that leaves people already battling chronic illnesses at a disadvantage. @investigatetv.com @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social