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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.

California

The state recently held its Rural Health Transformation Program Spring Webinar on April 21 with the recording and presentation materials now available online. Additional listening sessions and webinars are planned with dates and details coming soon. Stakeholders can subscribe to the Rural Health email listserv under the Healthcare Workforce category to receive updates on upcoming engagement opportunities and program developments.

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

May 1, 2026|California|

Georgia

The Department of Community Health (DCH) is establishing the GREAT Health Advisory Council (up to 20 members) to guide RHTP implementation by providing strategic input, rural expertise and oversight of program progress, data and performance over a five-year period. The DCH is seeking healthcare professionals with rural expertise across multiple disciplines (e.g., policy, data, value-based care, public health, innovation); applicants will be regionally representative—the deadline to apply is May 1.

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

May 1, 2026|Georgia|

Missouri

The Department of Social Services requested that all community (Class A) and hospital (Class B) pharmacies submit a single MO Rural Health Transformation Digital Readiness Survey to support RHTP implementation and future digital infrastructure investments. Survey results will establish a baseline of pharmacy digital capabilities and directly inform state priorities for interoperability, technology funding and technical support across rural providers. The deadline was April 30.

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

May 1, 2026|Missouri|

Montana

The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) is now accepting proposals for the state‘s Rural Health Center of Excellence (CoE) initiative, with two distinct procurement opportunities available. The first seeks proposals to establish the CoE, while the second targets implementation support for facilities that adopt CoE recommendations. Organizations can find procurement details online. The CoE will provide county- and facility-level recommendations to help rural providers achieve financial sustainability through data-driven strategies, with voluntary performance payments available to facilities that achieve measurable improvements in care quality and access.

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

May 1, 2026|Montana|

North Dakota

The Department of Health and Human Services launched its first Rural Health Transformation Program funding opportunity focused on strengthening the rural health care workforce in March 2026. 

North Dakota continues to host community meetings with state lawmakers as part of ongoing stakeholder engagement efforts. Interested parties can sign up for program updates through the state's notification system.  

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

May 1, 2026|North Dakota|

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has launched its first Rural Health Transformation Plan (RHTP) funding opportunity, making $25 million available to strengthen access to rural health care and improve community well-being. The funding will support projects across six priority areas: Aging and Access, Behavioral Health, Emergency Medical Services and Transportation, Maternal Health, Technology and Infrastructure, and Workforce. Eligible rural hospitals, health care providers and facilities may apply for up to $1 million per entity to support supplies, equipment, renovations or infrastructure improvements. This initial round represents the first of several anticipated funding opportunities as the state continues to implement its broader rural health transformation strategy. Applications will be accepted from May 1 through June 1 or until the funding cap is reached—whichever comes first.

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

May 1, 2026|Pennsylvania|

Rhode Island

Rhode Island formally received approval from CMS on the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The Executive Officer of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and other state agencies will soon begin accepting applications for grant funding as described in the grant narrative document. You will see descriptions of 13 Initiatives and multiple projects in which they are seeking community partners to help strengthen the state's rural health care and social service systems. 

The Rhode Island Division of Purchases invites you to attend virtual training for those interested in RHTP funding. The session will be held on May 6 from 9:00 am–10:00 am. To attend, you must register online.  

This training will provide an overview of the application process and key steps to participating in RHTP funding opportunities, including: 

  • Registering in the Ocean State Procures System  
  • Identifying vendor and funding opportunities  
  • Understanding application requirements and next steps  

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

May 1, 2026|Rhode Island|

Texas

The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is accepting applications for the "Next Generation of the Small Town Doctor and Team," which focuses on strengthening rural workforce pipelines through recruitment, training and retention strategies. Applicants should review Section II (Scope of Grant) for full eligibility and requirements.  

The application deadline is May 27.  

The HHSC opened applications for Initiative 1, Part 1—"Make Rural Texans Healthy Again"—under the state's Rural Texas Strong program, part of the federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). This funding opportunity, which began accepting applications on April 22, is structured as a non-competitive direct award for eligible local governments. Specifically, rural hospital districts with publicly owned and operated hospitals in their jurisdiction may participate and will be contacted directly with instructions to submit an enrollment application. The enrollment deadline is May 22 at 10:30 am CT. 

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

May 1, 2026|Texas|

California

The Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) invites you to its Spring 2026 California Rural Health Transformation (CalRHT) webinar on April 21 as it launches the state's newly approved CalRHT Program. This session will: 

  • Outline the state's CMS-approved CalRHT program and its vision for a connected, resilient rural health system. 
  • Describe CalRHT's goal to establish, support and fund partnerships across rural California. 
  • Provide an overview of CalRHT's 2026 initiatives. 
  • Highlight key milestones, grant timelines and early engagement opportunities. 

Register Now! If you have any questions, please contact CalRHT@hcai.ca.gov.  

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

April 10, 2026|California|

Nebraska

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will open applications for the Nebraska Rural Health Workforce Incentive Program on April 15. This program will provide financial incentives to support health care professionals in relocating to, or continuing to serve in, rural Nebraska counties—defined by the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) as all counties except Douglas, Lancaster, and Sarpy—to strengthen recruitment, retention and the expansion of clinical services in rural communities. 

DHHS will host two virtual informational sessions to provide information on provider eligibility requirements, employer and provider commitments, eligible provider types, Medicaid and cost-sharing requirements and program timelines. Please use the links below to register in advance. 

For questions about this program, please contact the DHHS Office of Rural Health at 402-471-2337 or dhhs.ruralhealth@nebraska.gov. 

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

April 10, 2026|Nebraska|

North Carolina

The Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced Maggie Woods as the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Director to lead the state's effort in transforming health care and access for more than 3.5 million rural North Carolinians.  

Also in North Carolina, the NCDHHS presented before the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services Meeting on April 7, outlining plans for the $213 million from the Rural Health Care Transformation Grants from the federal government.  

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

April 10, 2026|North Carolina|

Pennsylvania

The Department of Human Services hosted a Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) webinar on March 31. The key message conveyed confirmed that RHTP programs will be developed on a regional basis by Rural Health Collaboratives (RCCs) and their advisory councils. 

Next Steps: 

Submit a nomination to be a part of the RHTP Rural Care Collaboratives (RCCs) or the Advisory Council by April 10 at 5:00 pm. 

Stay informed!  

  • Be on the lookout for specific Year 1 funding opportunities by keeping up with ListServ communication and checking the our events page. 
  • Become familiar with PA's Plan to understand how your project or expertise aligns with our initiatives and intended outcomes 
  • Prepare for your funding submission by spending time on the CMS RHTP website to understand how the funds can and cannot be used for this cooperative agreement  

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

April 10, 2026|Pennsylvania|

South Carolina

The Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) published funding opportunities available through the state’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The opportunities are available through grants offered under four of the state’s RHTP initiatives: Connections to Care, Wellness Within Reach, Leveling up and Shoring Up to Sustainability. These initiatives are part of the state’s bold strategy to modernize rural healthcare infrastructure and build a resilient, sustainable healthcare system that will ensure lasting access to quality health care for the one-in-three South Carolinians who live in a rural area. 
 
Eligible applicants include healthcare providers, community-based organizations, non-profit organizations, local government and public health entities and other entities committed to improving rural health care delivery. Funding will be provided as one-time infrastructure and capacity-building grants. Each grant opportunity will outline initiative-specific goals, expected outcomes and allowable uses of funds using standardized evaluation criteria established by SCDHHS and aligned with RHTP goals and guidelines.  
 
Applications for these grants are now available on the RHTP Grant Opportunities webpage. The deadline for applications to be submitted for each of these grants is June 1. Applications can be submitted through email to grants@scdhhs.gov. 

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

April 10, 2026|South Carolina|

Utah

The state legislature recently finalized appropriations for the state’s year 1 RHTP Award funds to several executive branch agencies. As a result, the Utah RHTP Funding Opportunities website has been updated. The Utah RHTP will partner with organizations to help implement the state’s approved initiatives and activities outlined in its Year 1 application. Please visit the funding opportunities website to explore currently available funding opportunities. RHTP contact list members will be notified of new opportunities as they become available. If you would like to join the contact list for updates, email ruralht@utah.gov. For specific questions related to open funding opportunities below, we recommend reaching out to the point of contact whose email address will be listed in the “Agency” column of the table.

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

April 10, 2026|Utah|

Vermont

The Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA) posted an award notice this week for a $195 million Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Fund Grant, which among other initiatives may be used to support pharmacy test and treat services. According to DVHA, the grant of $195 million in year one of a five-year opportunity will allow DHA to “invest funds targeted at expanding pharmacists’ scope and capacity to include test-to-treat in more scenarios. By leveraging pharmacists as accessible, community-based providers, this investment would enhance primary care capacity, reduce unnecessary emergency visits and strengthen Vermont’s integrated rural health care delivery system.”

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

April 10, 2026|Vermont|

Alaska

The Department of Health launched its RHTP Impacts Learning Collaborative Webinar Series, a structured engagement initiative covering six key program areas. The first Letter of Interest (LOI) registration period closed on March 11 with nearly 1,800 submissions now entering review by the Alaska Community Foundation. Organizations that submitted LOIs will receive notifications as submissions are processed, with additional LOI opportunities to be announced throughout the program’s lifecycle. The department posted information about the RHTP Advisory Council, including its charter document detailing the Council’s purpose, structure and stakeholder guidance role for program implementation.

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

April 3, 2026|Alaska|

Arizona

Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) announced the launch of the official Arizona Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) website, a central hub for the state’s historic $167 million annual investment to expand and strengthen healthcare across rural Arizona. The new website provides transparent, up-to-date information on the program’s four investment areas – rural health workforce development, priority health initiatives, expanding access to care and strengthening rural health systems – and serves as the primary portal for upcoming grant opportunities beginning Spring 2026. 

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

April 3, 2026|Arizona|

Colorado

The Rural Health Transformation Program Advisory Committee met on April 2. The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing is developing Request for Application (RFA) materials and continuing to assemble RHTP committees, with details on committee structure, membership and meeting schedules to be shared as they become available. 

Colorado received just over $200 million in first-year RHTP funding. The state's permissible uses include consumer tech solutions for significant IT advances designed to improve efficiency and cybersecurity, as well as workforce development initiatives requiring minimum five-year rural service commitments. The department has published eligible rural health providers and partners documentation and maintains a newsletter subscription for ongoing program updates. 

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

April 3, 2026|Colorado|

Connecticut

Prospective vendors and partners interested in subrecipient funding opportunities are advised to monitor the Department of Social Services Rural Health Program webpage regularly along with standard state procurement channels, as funding will be restricted to federally approved projects outlined in the state's application. The Department of Social Services continues to provide stakeholder engagement opportunities throughout implementation and encourages feedback through RHTP-Questions@ct.gov. 

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

April 3, 2026|Connecticut|

Minnesota

The Department of Health’s (MDH) Office of Rural Health and Primary Care issued a Request for Proposals (RFPs): Health Information Technology Advisory Services for one or more vendors to provide professional technical advisory services related to a variety of health information technology purchases funded through its Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The vendor will play a critical role in advising MDH on appropriate health information technology (HIT) purchases on the part of RHTP subgrantees and how to create an effective monitoring program for oversight of these purchases. Subgrantees will include rural hospitals, rural clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers, Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers/community mental health centers, rural Tribal nations and potentially other local organizations that participate in patient care and/or support patients’ health-related social needs. Responses are due no later than 12:00 pm on April 20. 

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

April 3, 2026|Minnesota|

Montana

The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) is seeking proposals for two distinct components of the state’s Rural Health Center of Excellence (CoE), as part of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The first request is for proposals to create the CoE; the second is for proposals to support facilities in implementing CoE recommendations. Interested organizations can find the procurement details on the Department of Administration website.

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

April 3, 2026|Montana|

Nebraska

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is seeking applicants for an Ancillary Healthcare provider member on each of the six newly established Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Health Care Advisory Regions (HCARs) in the state.  

Also in Nebraska, the DHHS aims to open Requests for Applications (RFAs) throughout the year, starting in March, with funding awards expected to begin in Spring 2026. Multiple RFAs are currently open with upcoming deadlines, including Regional Food Pantry Development (due April 8), Nebraska Kids Fitness & Nutrition (due April 3) and Rural Health Care Workforce Incentive & Sustainability with multiple deadline options (April 1, May 1 and June 1). 

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

April 3, 2026|Nebraska|

Oregon

Oregon received its RHTP award of $197.3 million and has made the March 25 webinar recording and slide materials available to the public. The state is preparing updated FAQs based on questions submitted during and after the webinar, with updates to be shared through their newsletter and webpage. According to the timeline, Oregon will begin releasing Request for Grant Proposals (RFGP) for approved RHTP initiatives during spring 2026, with response deadlines in early summer 2026.  

Vendors interested in partnering with local entities can complete the Vendor Interest Form to be included in a publicly accessible directory for potential collaboration on Catalyst Award projects. Oregon's funding distribution includes three pathways: Catalyst Awards through competitive RFGPs across four initiatives, direct Immediate Impact Awards and Regional Sustainability Awards for rural health network development. Pharmacy-relevant opportunities may be available through the Technology & Data Modernization initiative and workforce development programs that include clinical support staff training. 

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

April 3, 2026|Oregon|

Vermont

The state established a listserv for program updates and maintains a dedicated page for active Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs). The program application materials, including narrative, summary and activity details, are available for public review on the state’s website. Interested stakeholders can submit questions via the program contact form or by emailing ahs.rht@vermont.gov for additional information.

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

April 3, 2026|Vermont|
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