Rural Health Transformation Program
The Rural Health Transformation Program offers an opportunity for Washington state to support sustainable health care initiatives for rural communities that expand access, enhance quality of care, and improve outcomes.
Extensions for rural health funding opportunities
In response to the wildfires burning in eastern Washington, we’ve extended the application periods for three Rural Health Transformation Program funding opportunities. See the bids and contracts page for more details.
The Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program is part of the H.R.1 budget reconciliation bill. The RHT Program offers $50 billion funding nationwide to improve rural health care. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) administers the program.
In this first year, CMS awarded Washington state about $181 million. These funds will support the hospitals, clinics, and providers that rural families rely on every day.
The Health Care Authority (HCA), Department of Health (DOH), and Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)—in support of Governor Ferguson’s Office—partnered to develop and run Washington state’s RHT plan.
Goals
Six initiatives guide the RHT Program:
- Develop community-based health care options to help rural residents access the right level of care at the right time.
- Invest in the health of Native families.
- Invest in technology that increases efficiency, access, and quality in Washington’s rural health care system, helping rural Washingtonians get specialty care and monitor chronic conditions.
- Invest in long-term solutions to give rural Washingtonians better access to high-quality specialty and emergency medical care.
- Grow, train, and maintain the health care workforce in rural Washington.
- Expand and sustain Washington’s rural behavioral health system, decreasing the strain on rural hospitals and school-based behavioral health care services.
News and updates
Extensions for rural health funding opportunities
In response to the wildfires burning in eastern Washington, we’ve extended the application periods for the following funding opportunities:
| Opportunity | Previous due date | New due date |
|---|---|---|
| Activity 1.4: Rural Hospitals (Maternal, Emergency and Specialty Services) | August 20 | September 3 |
| Activity 4.2: Provider Technology Fund | August 13 | August 27 |
| Activity 6.4: Opioid Treatment Programs (OTP) Workforce Incentive Program | August 12 | August 26 |
Our thoughts are with everyone who has been impacted by the wildfires. We hope this added time will allow you to complete your applications for these rural health funding opportunities.
Go to HCA’s bids and contracts page to view the application details. For more opportunities, see this guide on how to participate in the RHT Program.
Upcoming webinar
We hold quarterly webinars to keep the public updated on RHT activities. Join us for our next webinar:
September 16
1–2 p.m.
Hosted on Teams
Email announcements
Sign up for email updates about the RHT Program.
| Date | Title |
|---|---|
| August 6, 2026 | Extensions for rural health funding opportunities |
| July 29, 2026 | CORRECTION: New funding opportunity for rural health |
| July 22, 2026 | New opportunities for rural health transformation |
Disclaimer: This program is supported by CMS/HHS as a financial assistance award totaling $181,257,515.06 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CMS/HHS or the U.S. Government.
