On Friday, Congressman Mike Lawler participated in a White House roundtable focused on strengthening rural health care nationwide, joining President Trump, Dr. Mehmet Oz, and several members of Congress.
The discussion centered on the newly established Rural Health Transformation Program, a $50 billion federal investment aimed at expanding access to care, modernizing rural medical facilities, and strengthening the rural health care workforce. Under the program, New York State is expected to receive more than $212 million in its first year, funding intended to support workforce development and improve access to essential health services in rural and semi-rural communities.
The Rural Health Transformation Program was created through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, which President Trump signed into law on July 4, 2025.
During the roundtable, Lawler emphasized the need for bipartisan reforms to improve affordability and access to care. He cited several priorities, including lowering prescription drug prices through a most-favored-nation pricing approach, expanding access to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), and advancing meaningful pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reforms that could reduce overall health care costs. Lawler also highlighted the importance of IVF coverage and tax incentives to make fertility treatments more accessible for families.
“I fundamentally believe that we can address the issues with Obamacare and make sure that the American people have access to care at a lower rate,” Lawler said, adding that bipartisan cooperation could deliver relief by ensuring health care dollars benefit patients rather than insurance companies.
The roundtable was part of the administration’s broader effort to address long-standing health care challenges in rural communities and improve outcomes for families living outside major metropolitan areas.
Lawler keeps himself busy