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.
New competitive bid opportunities
We have two requests for applications (RFAs) available on the bids and contracts page:
- Provider technology fund
- Workforce incentive program for opioid treatment programs
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
Opportunities for RHT Program funding
Washington’s RHT Program plan includes competitive bid processes to support some activities.Go to HCA's bids and contracts page to see two open requests for applications (RFAs):
- Provider technology fund
- Workforce incentive program for opioid treatment programs
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
State positions for the RHT Program
We’re hiring for state positions with the RHT Program. Find these listings on GovermentJobs.com.
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.
