The $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program (RHT) is a landmark federal initiative launched in 2025 to reshape rural healthcare delivery across all 50 states. A five-year federal investment administered by CMS to; expand access to care in rural communities. modernize rural health infrastructure and technology, strengthen the rural health workforce, and support innovative, state-driven care models. The funding structure is $10 billion per year from FY 2026–2030. 50% to be allocated equally across states with approved applications, 50% awarded based on need. Needs include, rural population share, number and condition of rural facilities, and land mass and strategic proposals. States submitted one-time applications in 2025 outlining transformation plans. CMS announced awards in December 2025, with first-year grants ranging from $147M to $281M per state.
The 2026 Chartis Rural Health Snapshot reveals deepening instability, with 41% of rural hospitals operating at a loss and 417 facilities vulnerable to closure. Additionally over 300 hospitals have eliminated OB services and 450+ have cut chemotherapy. Medicaid reimbursements account for nearly 10% (or $3.9 million) in net revenue for the typical rural hospital.
Can this initiative turn these statistics around? Who will take on the challenges to not just spend the $50B but change the rural healthcare landscape?
News
Ohio University, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield expand partnership to strengthen rural healthcare workforce
Ohio University and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Anthem) have further advanced their longstanding partnership and shared commitment to improving health outcomes for rural and underserved populations through expanded endowment funding, microgrants, and increased experiential learning opportunities for students.
UnitedHealthcare Eliminates Most Medical Prior Authorizations, Accelerates Payments for Key Rural Care Hospitals and Providers Nationwide
UnitedHealthcare announced a significant, national expansion of its rural health care initiatives to help lower costs and simplify processes for care providers and greatly enhance access to quality care for individuals in rural communities.
Amerigroup Georgia Launches Statewide Rural Health Initiative to Improve Access and Outcomes
Amerigroup Community Care of Georgia announced a comprehensive statewide rural health initiative to expand access to care, strengthen support for providers and improve health outcomes for Medicaid members across Georgia’s most underserved communities.
Mississippi Launches Rural Health Transformation Program Office and Website
Governor Tate Reeves announced the establishment of the Mississippi Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Office and launch of the official Mississippi RHTP website. The newly created office will be housed within the Office of the Governor. Together, these milestones mark a significant step forward in the State’s efforts to transform and modernize healthcare across rural communities.
Ohio Announces The Rural Health Transformation Program
State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) announced that the Controlling Board released funds for The Rural Health Transformation Program. The program will be appropriated $202M each fiscal year and will fund 11 rural health opportunities. These include: the rural health workforce pipeline, Healthier Ohio initiatives, rural Ohio emergency care, OhioSEE rural expansion, pharmacy electronic medical records access, Ohio rural health innovation hubs, rural hospital training/ technical assistance center, rural health equipment, rural maternal health, rural health program implementation and the Ohio rural school based health centers. The goal of this program is to enhance healthcare access, quality and outcomes in rural communities in Ohio and nationwide.
North Dakota’s rural health transformation effort
North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Dr. David Hunnicutt, as a Rural Health Transformation Program strategist, Hunnicutt brings more than two decades of nationally recognized leadership to this role, having served 20 years as CEO of WELCOA—one of the largest and most influential corporate health and wellness organizations in the U.S.
Minnesota Hospitals Positioned to Strengthen Rural Care Through Rural Health Transformation Opportunities
Avel eCare Highlights Virtual Health System Approach to Support Workforce Stability, Specialty Care Access and Long-Term Sustainability
As healthcare organizations across Minnesota continue addressing workforce shortages, chronic disease management, and growing financial pressures in rural communities, new federal and state rural health transformation initiatives are creating opportunities for hospitals to strengthen care delivery through innovative partnerships and virtual care infrastructure.
Listening Spotlight
On this episode hosts Angie Shin and Dave Smith engage with Roger Neal of Duncan Regional Hospital to unpack what it actually takes to modernize patient access in rural healthcare, without losing the human, community-first culture that makes local care work. Roger traces his “ping-pong” career path from aspiring physical therapist and pre-med student at University of Oklahoma into healthcare IT and operations, explaining how technology gave him a full view of the organization, and the leverage to fix systemic friction points patients and staff feel every day.
Host Dr. Robert Murry talks to Chris Emper, Government Affairs Advisor for NextGen Healthcare, about the newly launched $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program administered by CMS. Given rising operational costs and flat/declining reimbursements, this program presents a significant and rare funding opportunity. Despite the program name, funds are not limited strictly to rural providers—and in some cases, not even limited to healthcare providers. Get up to speed on the program and explore how you can benefit.
Events
NRHA Rural Health Access Conference
When: May 18-19, 2026
Where: Manchester Grand Hyatt
San Diego CA
Event Page
Register for this event.
NRHA Rural Hospital Innovation Summit
When: May 19-22, 2026
Where: Manchester Grand Hyatt
San Diego CA
Event Page
Register for this event.
NRHA 23rd Rural Medical Education Conference
When: Tuesday, May 19, 2026 (8am-5pm PT)
Where: Manchester Grand Hyatt
San Diego CA
Event Page
Register for this event.
2026 National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health Annual Meeting (NOSORH)
When: September 1-3, 2026
Where: Pittsburgh PA
Event Page
Registration coming soon.
Partners in Rural Health Transformation Webinar Series from AscendRural
In case you missed this webinar series, you can now find them on-demand.
Webinar 1: Engaging Startups in Rural Health Transformation
Webinar 2: The Role of Health Plans in Rural Health Transformation
Webinar 3: State Leadership in Rural Health Transformation
Resources
The Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program was authorized by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Section 71401 of Public Law 119-21) and empowers states to strengthen rural communities across America by improving healthcare access, quality, and outcomes by transforming the healthcare delivery ecosystem. Through innovative system-wide change, the RHT Program invests in the rural healthcare delivery ecosystem for future generations.
The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) is a national nonprofit membership organization that brings together thousands of members across the United States.
The association’s mission is to provide leadership on rural health issues through advocacy, communications, education and research.
NRHA Events
NRHA Press Releases
NRHA’s Rural Health Voices Blog
