Applications available for Rural Health Transformation Program

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released Rural Health Transformation Program applications. Created through the reconciliation bill’s passage, the program will fund $50 billion to rural providers from fiscal year 2026 to FY 2030. The program seeks to promote preventative health and address root causes of diseases, improve efficiency and sustainability, strengthen workforce recruitment and retention, initiate innovative care models, and foster use of technology for efficient care delivery and data security. CMS will distribute half of the funds evenly to states with an approved application, with the other half awarded based on individual state metrics and applications reflecting “potential for and scale of impact” on rural communities. Applications are due Nov. 5, with recipients announced by Dec. 31. The American Hospital Association issued a Special Bulletin on the program. (HHS news release, 9/15/25)