NACDS has launched a biweekly Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Workgroup Meeting Series to support member engagement and strategic participation as states advance program implementation. 

These regional calls are designed to inform NACDS' engagement in priority states, share emerging state-specific developments and identify participation opportunities for pharmacies. Initial meetings were held the week of February 2–6. Meeting materials from each session are available here: Eastern, Central and Western regions. 

Members interested in participating in these workgroup meetings can sign up here. 

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

Rural Health Transformation Program implementation is advancing, and NACDS review shows 36 states directly include pharmacists/pharmacies in their plans, with five more outlining strategies applicable to pharmacy providers. Fourteen states (AR, DE, ME, MI, MO, NH, ND, OH, OR, RI, TN, UT, VT, WY) are also advancing test-and-treat legislation, signaling expanded roles for pharmacists in clinical care. While momentum is significant, coordinated engagement remains essential to influence care models, reimbursement and policies as states finalize implementation. NACDS created a members-only state-by-state resource, entitled "Rural Health Transformation Program State Funds Tracker". 

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

NACDS would like to highlight an important requirement regarding the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) state funding process. If a state does not receive the actual amount requested in its RHTP application, it must submit a revised budget that reflects its actual award amount by January 30. CMS will have 30 days to review and approve the state's revised budget.  

Members can confirm whether a location qualifies as "rural" under the Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA's) definition by using the HRSA Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer. The tool allows users to enter an address or select a state/county to determine rural eligibility status for HRSA rural health grants. 

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