Dependable Coverage, Federal Efforts, Primary Care, State Efforts
[USofCare Webinar] Bridging the Gap: Transforming Care in Rural America through the Rural Health Transformation Program
Approximately 65 million Americans live in rural communities today. Ongoing challenges, endemic to rural America, are exacerbated as the health care sector becomes more consolidated, more expensive, and more difficult to access and afford. A health care system rooted in fee-for-service payment models creates particular challenges for rural communities in sustaining the infrastructure necessary to provide people with access, quality, and affordable health care.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (“OB3”) established the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program (“RHTP”), providing states with a new funding opportunity aimed at improving health care access, quality, and outcomes in rural communities across the country. States interested in this opportunity must submit to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) by November 5, 2025, a one-time application that will determine eligibility for this five-year funding opportunity.
Ahead of the application deadline, United States of Care hosted a webinar on October 16, 2025 exploring the RHTP, with a specific focus on the implications for state advocates and stakeholders. Speakers from USofCare included Lisa Hunter, Senior Director of Federal Advocacy and Policy; Alyssa Penna, Director of Federal Policy; and Kelsey Wulfkuhle, Senior State Advocacy Manager. Webinar attendees learned about the components of the RHTP application, initiatives that state agencies will need to develop to receive funding, and how this program serves as a critical opportunity to support sustainable payment models for rural communities.
Interested stakeholders can review the materials from the webinar below:
Hospital Global Budgets 1-Pager
Rural Health Transformation Program 1-Pager
Rural Health Transformation Program: Notice of Funding Opportunity Explainer