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Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP)

NACDS is offering optional, one-on-one, state-specific support sessions to assist chain members with their Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) efforts. Sessions are available every Wednesday, with four 30-minute time slots focused on state-level RHTP pharmacy engagement opportunities.
Interested chain members may schedule a session.

Schedule a Session

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

Arizona

Arizona has five active grant opportunities open through the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) under its $166.9 million FY26 RHTP allocation. Two RFGAs released July 31 cover Adopt Shared Services Consortiums — supporting shared staffing, data systems, purchasing and compliance functions across rural and Tribal health organizations — and Behavioral Health & SUD Expansion, which funds mobile and digital behavioral health services, workforce development and community prevention programming. The Opioid Antagonist Distribution Initiative RFGA, released July 10, is a pharmacy-relevant opportunity that funds procurement and distribution of naloxone kits, overdose response training and Tribal partnership support across rural counties, frontier clinics and small fire districts. Two additional RFGAs released July 24 — the Rural Health Innovative Care Pilot Program and Technical Assistance for Operational & Fiscal Performance — both carry an application deadline of August 21; the former supports mobile and satellite care expansion, community health worker programs and alternative payment models, while the latter targets revenue cycle optimization, network governance and value-based care readiness.

The AHCCCS RHTP hub remains the primary source for new NOFOs and RFPs as additional priority areas are released by AHCCCS, the Office of Economic Opportunity and the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS).

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

August 7, 2026|Arizona|

North Carolina

North Carolina needs your insight to shape the future of rural health innovation and digital health modernization. The Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Information Technology and other partners are designing a statewide approach to strengthen rural care delivery through improved data connectivity, modern digital‑health infrastructure, telehealth expansion, interoperability upgrades and adoption of advanced tools like AI‑supported workflows. Your feedback will directly influence the tools, resources and support offered to help practices improve connectivity, upgrade technology and adopt new innovations.

  • Who should participate: Practices based in rural areas or serving predominantly rural patient populations.
  • Time commitment: About five minutes.
  • Take the survey online today!

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

August 7, 2026|North Carolina|

South Carolina

As described in the Medicaid bulletin issued April 2 (MB# 26-009), the Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) published funding opportunities available through the state’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The RHTP was created pursuant to Section 71401 of Public Law 119-21 under the Working Families Tax Cut legislation, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The opportunities were available through four of the state’s RHTP initiatives: Connections to Care, Wellness Within Reach, Leveling Up and Shoring Up to Sustainability.

SCDHHS has issued Notices of Award Determination for the 712 applications received under the four funding opportunities. Applicants should check their email for notice detailing:

  • Whether funding was awarded;
  • If funding was awarded, the funding amount and next steps; and
  • If funding was not awarded, information about the determination.

Information about the program is available on the SCDHHS’ RHTP page. Questions about RHTP should be directed to Grants@scdhhs.gov.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

August 7, 2026|South Carolina|

Alabama

The Alabama Rural Health Transformation Program (ARHTP) announced the opening of applications for the final Year 1 initiatives under the ARHTP. Applications opened on July 17 and will remain available through August 7 at 5:00 pm CT.

This funding round includes five initiatives aimed at improving rural health care delivery across the state:

ARHTP encourages eligible organizations to review the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for each initiative to understand program goals, permitted uses of funds and applicant eligibility requirements.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

July 24, 2026|Alabama|

Arizona

The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) released two new Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Requests for Grant Applications (RFGAs) to support medical diagnostic equipment, electronic health record (EHR) upgrades, data sharing, telehealth infrastructure and Care Coordination in rural and Tribal communities. AHCCCS will host a virtual pre-application conference on July 24 to review eligibility, funding tiers, application requirements and timelines. Please register in advance.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

July 24, 2026|Arizona|

Colorado

The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) opened the RHTP Request for Application (RFA), with a submission deadline of 11:59 pm on August 3. Applicants should review the updated eligibility document (revised July 15) and the RHTP FAQs before applying. Organizations seeking co-applicant partnerships may submit the Potential Grantee Partnership Interest Form, with results posted to a public partnership interest spreadsheet.

Several near-term engagement opportunities remain before the application deadline. RHTP Office Hours are scheduled for July 21 (12:00 pm–1:00 pm), July 23 (1:00 pm–2:00 pm), and July 27 (12:00 pm–1 pm), with the RHTP Advisory Committee meeting also convening on July 27 from 10:00 am–11:30 am. The most recent webinar recording, How to Fill Out the Work Plan and Budget (July 8), is now posted alongside earlier sessions covering allowable costs, budgeting and partnership structures. The July 15 program newsletter is also available. Pharmacies and other eligible rural health providers are encouraged to confirm eligibility and explore the Available Vendor Partnership List for potential collaborators.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

July 24, 2026|Colorado|

Minnesota

The Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (ORHPC)’s July newsletter highlights the growing importance of supporting clinical training capacity to address healthcare workforce shortages, while also spotlighting funding opportunities and resources designed to strengthen rural health systems across the state.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

July 24, 2026|Minnesota|

Oregon

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) announced that 85 organizations have been selected as intended Catalyst Award awardees, representing $80 million in RHTP funding directed toward rural health improvement. The awards followed a competitive Request for Grant Proposals (RFGP 6244) open from April 10 through May 26, which drew 353 proposals requesting more than $830 million against $160 million available across two budget years. OHA noted that individual grant amounts and project scopes will be finalized after award negotiations are completed this summer. Organizations not selected are encouraged to monitor future RHTP funding opportunities.

Oregon’s broader RHTP distribution strategy includes three pathways:

  • Catalyst Awards (competitive RFGP process)
  • Immediate Impact Awards (direct awards, no application required)
  • Regional Sustainability Awards (subcontractor-facilitated technical assistance for developing rural health networks ahead of Phase 2 funding)

Pharmacy and other health care entities interested in future opportunities can submit a Vendor Interest Form or view the Vendor Interest Database. The program’s allowable uses of funds are broad — encompassing workforce, telehealth infrastructure, prevention, behavioral health and IT advances — with no restrictions on entity type, meaning pharmacies and pharmacy-adjacent organizations may be eligible to participate as subgrantees or contractors.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

July 24, 2026|Oregon|

Alabama

Five new Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) have been posted on the AlabamaRHTP Resources page, with a submission deadline of August 7 at 5:00 p.m. CT. Applicants should review the available materials, including the ARHTP Project Narrative, eligible rural counties list and proposed launch timeline to assess eligibility and program fit.

The Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) will host in-person application workshops on July 21 and 22 covering the second round of five approved ARHTP initiatives. See the memo for details: ARHTP Application Workshops Round 2 Announcement.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

July 17, 2026|Alabama|

California

The CalRHT Team announced that the CalRHT Accelerator Partners Grant Application Portal is open, with resources and guidance available online. The portal opens for applications on July 15 and the deadline to apply is August 14. An informational webinar about the grant opportunity will be held on July 20 from 9:30 am to 11:00 am, with registration available: Webinar Registration – Zoom

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

July 17, 2026|California|

Maryland

The state announced new Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding opportunities to strengthen the rural healthcare workforce and expand health information connectivity. The Department of Labor is accepting applications for the Pathways to Health Careers and Rural Incentives for Strengthening Employment in Healthcare (RISE) programs, which support healthcare workforce training, recruitment and retention in rural communities.

Also in Maryland, the Chesapeake Regional Information System for our Patients (CRISP) launched the Rural Health Connectivity Program, offering first-come, first-served funding to help eligible rural providers offset electronic health record (EHR) connectivity costs.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

July 17, 2026|Maryland|

Michigan

The Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) released five Workforce for Wellness Initiative funding opportunities under the Rural Health Transformation Program, making approximately $34.2 million available to strengthen the rural healthcare workforce through recruitment, retention and training initiatives. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, public and private entities, local health departments, federally recognized tribes, Indian Health Clinics and universities. The project director’s requests for access to the applications are due by 5:00 pm on July 30. Grant applications must be submitted electronically through the EGrAMS website system by 3:00 pm on August 4.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

July 17, 2026|Michigan|

North Carolina

The Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has released several updates on its Rural Health Transformation Program (NCRHTP), including the NCRHTP June Webinar Recap of its stakeholder webinar highlighting progress across the five NC ROOTS Hub Leads organizations. In addition, NCDHHS has announced a new funding opportunity for the NC Minority Diabetes Prevention Program. Interested applicants are encouraged to review the Request for Applicants documents, addendums for eligibility criteria and additional details available on the NCRHTP Grant Opportunities webpage. The deadline to apply is July 17 at 5:00 pm EST.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

July 17, 2026|North Carolina|

Pennsylvania

The Commonwealth announced a $25 million RHTP Funding Opportunity to support implementation and enhancement of Certified Electronic Health Record Technology (CEHRT) and participation in the Commonwealth’s certified Health Information Organizations (HIOs) and the Pennsylvania Patient & Provider Network (P3N). Eligible providers include hospitals, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, behavioral health providers and other qualifying organizations. This is the first of several planned RHTP funding opportunities, with additional opportunities expected later this year.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

July 17, 2026|Pennsylvania|

Alabama

NACDS, along with Alabama Pharmacy Association, submitted a letter of support for the Auburn University Health Transformation Collaborative (AUHTC) proposal submitted under the CMS Rural Health Transformation Program. This proposal represents an important opportunity to strengthen care coordination, modernize healthcare delivery and improve access to care by better integrating community pharmacies into Alabama’s healthcare system. 

Also in Alabama, the Alabama Rural Health Transformation Program (ARHTP) released its second round of Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs), including funding for the Cancer Digital Regionalization Initiative, Statewide EMS Trauma and Stroke Initiative, EMS Treat-In-Place Initiative, Maternal and Fetal Health Initiative and Simulation Training Initiative. Interested applicants are encouraged to review the NOFOs and application requirements on the ARHTP website. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

July 10, 2026|Alabama|

Arkansas

The Arkansas Rural Health Transformation Program has opened the application portal for the HEART (Healthy Eating, Active Recreation, and Transformation) initiative, which supports community-driven projects focused on nutrition, physical activity, chronic disease prevention and expanded access to preventive services in rural communities. Applications are due by July 31 at 12:00 pm CT. Applicants are encouraged to review the Project Narrative and Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) before applying.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

July 10, 2026|Arkansas|

California

California’s Rural Health Transformation (CalRHT) program will launch three funding opportunities in July focused on strengthening primary and maternity care through Accelerator Partners, EHR modernization and health technology investments, and healthcare workforce recruitment, retention and training. Grant guides and application materials will be released throughout the month, and interested organizations are encouraged to monitor the CalRHT website for updates.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

July 10, 2026|California|

Colorado

Colorado's RHTP Request for Application (RFA) is now open, with a submission deadline of 11:59 pm on August 3. Applicants can access a full suite of resources, including RFA applicant guidance, FAQs updated June 22, grant application sample activities and an eligibility list of rural health providers and partners — the latter is a key resource for pharmacies evaluating participation pathways. A Potential Grantee Partnership Interest Form is available to organizations seeking collaborators, and an Available Vendor Partnership List has been posted for providers seeking potential service vendors. 

Several upcoming engagement opportunities are scheduled ahead of the August deadline.  

  •  Office hours are available on July 14 (12:00 pm–1:00 pm). 
  •  RHTP Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for July 27 from 10:00 am–11:30 am.  

Recordings from prior webinars — including sessions on allowable vs. non-allowable costs, understanding the budget, and how to fill out the RFA — are also posted on the program website. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

July 10, 2026|Colorado|

Louisiana

Louisiana’s Department of Health (LDH) has posted several active stakeholder surveys supporting RHTP implementation, including the Food as Medicine Interest Survey, EPIC Interest Survey, EHR & Interoperability Planning Survey and Rural Provider VBC & APM Readiness Survey. The state has also posted its RHTP Notice of Funding Opportunities. An RHTP webinar will be held on August 6 from 9:00 am–10:00 am CT, and slides from the June 4 webinar are available online. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

July 10, 2026|Louisiana|

New York

New York has released its first funding opportunity under the federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), announcing the Rural Community Health Integration Initiative, which will provide $76.2 million to support collaborative care coordination projects in rural communities. Funding is available to nonprofit and municipal hospitals to improve care coordination, reduce emergency department utilization and prevent hospital readmissions. The application (PDF) is due July 14.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

July 10, 2026|New York|

North Carolina

The Department of Health and Human Services continues to implement its Rural Health Transformation Program by finalizing contracts with the five regional NC Hub Leads, who will conduct regional needs assessments and establish local partner networks serving all 100 counties. Additional engagement opportunities for rural pharmacies and other health care providers are expected soon. Members are encouraged to subscribe to the RHTP newsletter to receive updates on future solicitations and participation opportunities.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

July 10, 2026|North Carolina|

Texas

The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced that Rural Texas Strong Initiative 4 (Round 2): The Next Generation of the Small Town Doctor and Team is expected to be released on July 15. Prospective applicants are encouraged to prepare by ensuring their organizations have active IAMOnline accounts and access to the HHSC Grants Management System to avoid delays once the application period opens.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

July 10, 2026|Texas|

Wisconsin

The Department of Health Services has opened applications for the Rural Technology Transformation grant program, which will invest an estimated $209 million over five years to support technology projects that expand access to care, improve provider efficiency and enhance health outcomes in rural communities. In addition, the Department of Workforce Development has launched the Workforce Innovation Grant: Healthcare Employment, Access and Rural Transformation (WIG: HEART) program, making up to $150 million over four years available to support innovative healthcare workforce initiatives. Applications for the first WIG: HEART funding round are due August 17 and can be found at the WIG: HEART grant webpage. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

July 10, 2026|Wisconsin|

Wyoming

The Department of Health has opened Requests for Applications (RFAs) under its Rural Health Transformation Program, making $205 million available to support locally driven initiatives that improve healthcare access and outcomes in rural communities. Funding opportunities are available for basic and emergency care, workforce development, technology investments, and healthy diet and lifestyle initiatives. Applications opened July 1 and program details and application materials are available on the state’s RHTP website: Wyoming’s Rural Health Transformation Program.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

July 10, 2026|Wyoming|

Arkansas

The Arkansas Rural Health Transformation Program opened applications for the RISE AR (Recruitment, Innovation, Skills, and Education for Arkansas) initiative, which supports rural healthcare workforce recruitment, training and retention efforts. Applications are due by July 24 at 12:00 pm CT and applicants are encouraged to review the NOFO and program materials for eligibility and submission requirements.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

June 26, 2026|Arkansas|
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