Feds' 'Rural Health Transformation Program' Isn't Putting Much Money Yet Into Copper Valley Medical Care

 Chitina & McCarthy Both To Receive Health Funds

 

Core Regional Services At CRNA And Cross Road Not  Listed:  August, 2026  

Cross Road Medical Center has not yet received funding for 'Rural Health Transformation'. (Photo, Cross Road) 

Two Copper Valley area clinics near Wrangell-St. Elias Park have managed to get funding from the federal government’s massive new 'Rural Health Transformation' program – and neither one of them is Cross Road Medical Center or CRNA, both of which are the primary sources of medical care to the people of the Copper River Valley of central Alaska. 

A lengthy August 21st, 2026 list, put out by the federal government, showed that the Frontier Clinic in  McCarthy is due to receive $272,689 for the stated purpose of completing and equipping a primary care clinic in McCarthy, listed as “one of the state’s most remote and fastest-growing communities.”

The second clinic in the Copper Valley that has been targeted for assistance is the Chitina Community Health Clinic. The Chitina-targeted funding looks like it will help Southcentral Foundation in Anchorage “expand resources” to “improve the use of space”. It also mentions the purchase of a vehicle and outreach. This program is earmarked for $281,285. 

In the realm of things, that's not much. Some health applicants in Alaska will be receiving millions of dollars  the list shows.  Heavy hitters, often with multiple programs already accepted,  include:  Bethel, the Mat-Su Borough, the Denali Borough, Fairbanks, Anchorage, the Aleutians, the North Slope Borough, Juneau, and many other locations – particularly larger borough-operated facilities and services across Alaska. 

There will apparently be another notification of further awards in the coming weeks.