A representative from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) visited Orange County on January 19, 2024, to promote the administration’s health care agenda. Victoria Seaman, the regional director for HHS, engaged with local and state officials, as well as community members, to discuss the implications of a proposed $50 billion investment in rural health programs.
During her visit, Seaman highlighted the recent announcement by the Trump administration to allocate $10 billion to support rural health care initiatives. This funding aims to counterbalance significant budget cuts affecting rural hospitals. As part of a broader tax cuts and spending bill signed into law in late 2023, states are set to apply for financial assistance through the Rural Health Transformation Program. The average funding awarded for the year 2026 is projected to be around $200 million. California is expected to receive more than $233 million from this program, Seaman noted.
Seaman described this funding strategy as a shift in how the administration approaches health care financing. “The money is going to the states directly. They will partner with different facilities and doctors to distribute this money and determine how it’s going to be used and spent,” she explained.
In addition to rural health funding, Seaman discussed other priorities under the banner of the administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, an adaptation of Trump’s popular slogan. Among these initiatives is an emphasis on promoting healthier food options, particularly for youth.
California has had a tumultuous relationship with the Trump administration, particularly in health care policy. Under Attorney General Rob Bonta, the state has initiated over 50 lawsuits against the federal government during Trump’s second term, several of which focus on health care and funding issues. Concerns persist that rural health care funding could be jeopardized in states that do not align with the administration’s policies.
Despite these tensions, Seaman asserted that her efforts are nonpartisan, stating, “It’s all about making people healthy.” She emphasized the importance of working with legislators to promote health initiatives and mentioned plans to meet with more elected officials in Sacramento.
Seaman expressed enthusiasm for the response to her initiatives. “It’s not a partisan issue; it’s all about people getting healthy again,” she said. She also commended recent California laws aimed at improving health, including one that restricts smartphone use in schools.
Among the additional priorities Seaman intends to share with state legislators is a proposal for a federal waiver to prevent the purchase of sugary drinks and candy using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
As the HHS continues to navigate the complexities of health care in California and beyond, the focus remains on fostering partnerships that prioritize the well-being of communities across the nation.
