Rural Health Transformation Program Toolkit

This toolkit gives transportation and transit providers strategic recommendations and clear, practical guidance for aligning with the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) - a major federal shift (under Public Law 119-21) that has funneled $50 billion into rural health systems between 2026 and 2030.

The CMS Rural Health Transformation Program overview provides the full background of the program. As healthcare shifts from hospital-centered care towards more flexible "care anywhere" models, transportation providers are no longer just "drivers," they are a critical component of rural health infrastructure.

Explore the following sections of the toolkit to help understand the program and gain information and guidance on applying for the funding.

Interactive State Map & Strategy Resource Guide

Explore RHTP awards, state strategies, and key implementation details by state.

View Map

Recent State Updates

Review latest announcements, milestones, and policy updates by participating states.

View State Updates

Partnership Strategies and Implementation Guide

Find practical approaches for cross-sector partnerships and local rollout planning.

View Implementation Guide

Rural Health Transformation and Mobile Health

Learn how mobile health and flexible care models can strengthen rural access.

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Articles and Information about Federal RHTP Information

Browse federal guidance, background materials, and supporting information resources.

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Other Helpful Resources

Access additional tools, references, and resource hubs relevant to RHTP work.

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Interactive State Map & Strategy Resource Guide

Visit this webpage to explore how states across the country are using FY2026 Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funds using an interactive map.  Click any state to see its award amount, strategy highlights, lead agency and related resources.  It’s a quick way for transportation, health and community partners to understand where funding is moving and how states are approaching implementation.  

Recent State Updates

Things are moving fast with the Rural Health Transformation Programs! States are moving forward with Requests for Applications and subgrant solicitations, assembling oversight committees and launching pilot programs that best meet the needs of rural communities in their respective states. 

To stay up to date on what’s happening across the country, visit RHTP Recent State Updates, where state specific updates will be posted weekly. 

Partnership Strategies and Implementation

The Rural Health Transformation Program Implementation Guide is a new webpage that helps transportation providers become active partners in rural healthcare delivery. It outlines practical strategies – like interoperability, mobile health hubs, cross‑trained drivers, and coordinated ride models – supported by real examples from states. The guide gives agencies clear steps to strengthen applications, launch services, and improve access to care.

Rural Health Transformation and Mobile Health

At least 42 states included mobile health strategies in their Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) applications. While all 50 states applied for the federal funding, mobile health initiatives are specifically highlighted as a key tool for extending care, with 20 states incorporating Community Paramedicine/Mobile Integrated Health (CP/MIH) and 18 focusing on mobile medication-assisted treatment (MH/MOUD). The following information and tools can help you align your application with your state’s mobile health clinic strategy.

Federal Rural Health Transformation Program Articles & Information

CMS Announces Rural Health Transformation Awards to States

This article outlines an announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of first‑year Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) awards, which provide $50 billion over five years to modernize rural health systems. States will receive between $147M and $281M in year one and must quickly revise budgets and launch approved initiatives. It summarizes common themes in state plans—such as workforce, access to care, infrastructure, and care‑delivery innovation—and emphasizes that successful implementation will require sustained collaboration and administrative capacity.

First-Year Rural Health Fund Awards Range From Less Than $100 Per Rural Resident in Ten States to More Than $500 in Eight

This analysis explains how CMS distributed the first year of RHTP funds, showing large differences in both total and per‑resident awards across states. Because half of all RHTP dollars are split evenly, small rural states often receive far more per resident than large ones. The report outlines the allocation formulas, examples of state initiatives, and ongoing questions about how much funding will reach rural hospitals and how transparently states will report their spending.

CMS Announces $50 Billion in Awards to Strengthen Rural Health in All 50 States

This Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) press release announces first‑year awards for the Rural Health Transformation Program, a five‑year, $50 billion effort to modernize rural health care. The release outlines national priorities such as telehealth, treat‑in‑place options, workforce training, and value‑based care, and explains how funds are allocated and how CMS will support states through oversight, technical assistance, and annual Rural Health Summits.

Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) State Project Abstracts

This CMS document provides brief summaries of each state’s RHTP plan, highlighting the priorities and initiatives states will fund with their RHT awards. Across states, common themes include expanding access to primary, maternal, and behavioral health care; strengthening the rural workforce; upgrading facilities and technology; and advancing telehealth, treat‑in‑place, and value‑based care models. The abstracts offer a quick snapshot of how states intend to use RHT dollars to address local needs.

Other Resources

  • Federal Fund Braiding Guide – The guide explains when Federal funds from one program can legally be used to meet the local match requirement of another program, outlining statutory rules, agency determinations, and practical steps for grantees and Federal agencies to coordinate transportation funding.
  • PolicyMap – This useful tool provides access to demographic and transportation‑related data that can help agencies identify service needs and support funding applications, including the ability to view FTA‑funded service areas through the integrated Community Transportation Provider Map. There are a limited number of licenses to use PolicyMap. You must complete an Interest Survey to gain access.
  • CTAA Rural Health Transformation Program Transportation Access Summary– This document summarizes the transportation‑related strategies states reported in their Rural Health Transformation Program applications, highlighting common themes such as NEMT expansion, ride coordination, public transit gaps, and mobility challenges.
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