Rural Health Transformation Program
healthy lives
RHTP Latest News
RHTP Awardee Announcement
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is preparing to formally announce the grant awardees for the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), supported by the $195,743,566 first-year award from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Year 1 RHTP Obligations and Update Regarding Year 2 Awards
At this time, CMS is concentrating efforts on Year 1 obligations to ensure all states meet the obligation deadline and do not lose Year 1 funds. CMS has moved the award announcements for Year 2 awards to October 30, 2026.
We are proud to share that the CMS has officially reported that Utah has successfully demonstrated obligation for 100% of its Year 1 RHTP funding. This significant milestone underscores our state's proactive commitment to ensure that these critical funds are at work supporting our communities and driving the program's initiatives forward.
CMS New State Data Maps
CMS Office of Rural Health Transformation has posted new State data and reports on the Rural Health Transformation Program website. The State Data Maps webpage now includes:
- State Budget Period 1 Funding
- State Policy Action Commitments
- State Initiative Progress
- State Programmatic Snapshots
- State Focus Areas
These resources provide an overview of States’ RHTP activities and progress and offer the public an opportunity to learn about other States’ program priorities
Utah awarded $195 million from CMS for the first year of the Rural Health Transformation Program
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is pleased to announce the successful first-year award of Utah’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Utah’s first-year award from CMS totals $195,743,566.
CMS announced on December 29, 2025, that “all 50 states will receive awards under the Rural Health Transformation Program, a $50 billion initiative established under President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts legislation (Public Law 119-21) to strengthen and modernize healthcare in rural communities across the country. This unprecedented federal investment will help states expand access to care in rural communities, strengthen the rural health workforce, modernize rural facilities and technology, and support innovative models that bring high-quality, dependable care closer to home.”
The award comes after the successful submission of Utah's RHTP application.
This award represents a vital opportunity to expand healthcare access, improve generational health, and strengthen the financial stability of healthcare facilities across Utah’s rural communities. DHHS is proud of the comprehensive, innovative, and forward thinking initiatives submitted and inspired by the transformative potential they hold.
DHHS would like to extend its gratitude to the dedicated workgroup leads, workgroup members, and all partners and community members who participated throughout this intensive process. Your expertise, time, and commitment were critical to shaping this plan and application, as well as securing the award.
If you have any questions or would like to join our contact list for updates, email us at [email protected].
Securing a landmark federal investment to reshape rural healthcare
Part I: The opportunity
Utah’s expected baseline share
Utah’s competitive workload share
Part II: Utah’s application submitted to CMS November 5, 2025
Make rural Utahns healthy
Workforce development
Innovation and access
- SHIFT seeks to transform care through capital infrastructure investment.
- FAST furthers core financial and care delivery models.
- LIFT supports scalable and sustainable telehealth strategies.
Technology innovation
- SUPPORT advances data and administrative infrastructure.
- LINCS facilitates interoperability and secure data exchange.
Text overview of H.R. 1
HR 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), establishes a five-year Rural Health Transformation Program to enhance rural healthcare access, infrastructure, and workforce development.
Utah is expected to receive a minimum of $100 million annually from federal fiscal year 2026 to 2030. To access these funds, Utah submitted a rural health transformation plan to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and received a notice of award on December 29, 2025. Utah was awarded $195.7m for year 1.
While this funding may partially offset projected decreases in federal Medicaid spending for rural Utah due to HR 1, it is also a significant opportunity to reshape rural healthcare and aligns with Governor Cox's strategic objective to improve rural healthcare access. Learn more about this program.