Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) – upcoming funding through Montana DPHHS CMS allocation

Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) – upcoming funding through Montana DPHHS CMS allocation is sponsored by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services via Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. A five-year federal-state grant program to strengthen rural healthcare, including mental health services; nonprofits may partner in service delivery under upcoming RFPs.

Rural Health Transformation Program Rural Health Transformation Program Governor Greg Gianforte and Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Director Charlie Brereton announced in December 2025 a historic $233 million investment from the Trump administration to stabilize and modernize rural health care delivery throughout Montana.

Awarded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), these funds will support Montana’s rural health care providers in delivering sustainable, high-quality care and ensuring appropriate access for those in need of services. This investment reflects the first-year award of a five-year federal grant program, with Montana currently set to receive up to $1.

2 billion over the life of the program. DPHHS submitted its RHTP application to CMS in November 2025. The state received the fourth-highest funding award among all 50 states, signaling the quality and strength of Montana’s application.

RHTP Vendor Webinar Scheduled for March 11 The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) and the Department of Administration (DOA) are hosting a live Zoom webinar on Wednesday, March 11, from 10 a. m. to noon for vendors interested in upcoming Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for the RHTP.

The webinar aims to ensure a transparent and efficient funding process. During the webinar, state officials will detail the five core RHTP initiatives and anticipated procurements, followed by a Q&A session. To register for the webinar in advance, please click the Zoom registration link .

After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Resources Available to Assist Vendors In addition to the live webinar, a centralized website page has been created with resources to help vendors effectively navigate the registration process and understand next steps.

The resources include a vendor checklist, direct links to helpful videos, and a Frequently Asked Questions document. DPHHS Final Budget Approved by CMS Following CMS requirements, DPHHS submitted a revised budget in January 2026 that was adjusted to prioritize scalable, high-impact programs. CMS issued final approval of the DPHHS budget for the first year of funding on Feb.

19, 2026, clearing the way for the agency to begin awarding funds. With the first-year budget finalized, funds will be awarded to vendors to support implementation of RHTP initiatives through competitive bidding at bids. mt.

gov. Other funding avenues will include grant applications for providers and community organizations and inter-agency agreements (e.g., between DPHHS and the Montana Department of Labor and Industry). Future opportunities for communities and providers will be posted at ruralhealth. mt.

gov on a rolling basis. Over 600 Montanans Participated in First RHTP Stakeholder Advisory Committee Meeting RHTP implementation is already guided by robust community feedback. On Jan.

22, 2026, over 600 Montanans participated in the first RHTP Stakeholder Advisory Committee meeting at Montana State University in Bozeman. This session focused on project goals and gathering public input to ensure the initiatives meet the unique needs of Montana’s diverse rural landscape. The meeting also included an extensive presentation about the RHTP by DPHHS staff .

This session focused on project goals and gathering public feedback. DPHHS will collaborate with rural providers, hospitals, community organizations, and other health care stakeholders to deliver five core initiatives tailored to Montana's rural health care challenges. The five core initiatives are: Community Health and Prevention For questions about this project, please email HHSRuralHealthTransformation@mt.

gov . The Rural Health Transformation Program is supported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $233,509,358. 76 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS.

The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

RHTP Stakeholder Advisory Committee Members Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Behavioral Health Alliance of Montana (BHAM) Blue Cross/Blue Shield Montana Chippewa Cree Tribal Nation Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Nation Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) – Human Services Division DPHHS – Public Health and Safety Division Fort Belknap Tribal Nation Little Shell Chippewa Tribal Nation Montana Academy of Family Physicians Montana Academy of Pediatrics Montana Ambulance Association Montana Area Agencies on Aging Montana Dental Hygienists' Association Montana Healthcare Foundation Montana Hospital Association (MHA) Montana Medical Association (MMA) Montana Primary Care Association (MPCA) Montana State University Extension Montana Trauma Advisory Committee Mountain Pacific Quality Health Northern Cheyenne Tribal Nation Office of Public Instruction (OPI) Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education (OCHE) Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council School Administrators of Montana Established by President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts legislation, the RHTP provides up to $50 billion nationally through 2030 to help states stabilize, transform, and restructure rural health systems and support essential health care providers with sustainability.

H. R. 1, enacted on July 4, 2025, established a federal $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) to stabilize and strengthen rural health care delivery systems, including hospitals and other providers.

To receive funding from the RHTP, states had to submit a rural health transformation plan to CMS. In November 2025, Montana applied for funding from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and on Dec. 29, 2025, DPHHS was awarded a historic $233 million in funds to stabilize and modernize rural health care delivery throughout Montana.

DPHHS will now allocate funds to eligible entities in accordance with Montana’s approved rural health transformation plan. Prior to submitting the plan, DPHHS conducted several weeks of public outreach to Montana’s hospitals, over 20 rural health stakeholders, all eight tribal nations and Urban Indian Organizations, and other state agencies.

DPHHS also integrated feedback from a 900-registrant webinar and over 300 formal responses to an agency-led Request for Information. The plan reflects this input. H.

R. 1 created a $50 billion fund for states with an approved rural health transformation plan, with $10 billion available per year from FFY 2026 through FFY 2030. Half of the funding will be split evenly between states with an approved transformation plan, and the other half will be distributed to states at CMS’ discretion based on each state’s rural population, rural health facilities, and other CMS-defined characteristics.

Rural Health Transformation Program Webinar PowerPoint Slides - October 2 2025 Frequently Asked Questions CoE – Rural Health Center of Excellence CMS - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services DPHHS - Department of Public Health and Human Services HRSA - Health Resources and Services Administration NOFO - Notice of Funding Opportunity RHTP - Rural Health Transformation Program SAC - Stakeholder Advisory Committee What are the main goals of Montana’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP)?

Montana aims to provide all residents with affordable, high-quality care regardless of geography. The State’s RHTP plan tackles rural health disparities through five core initiatives: workforce development, sustainable access, innovative care models, community health and prevention, and technology innovation. Who is eligible to apply for funding under Montana’s RHTP?

Eligibility varies by initiative, but typical applicants include tribal nations, government agencies, health care providers, educational institutions, nonprofits, and other partners capable of implementing rural health projects. How do I apply for funding? How will applications be reviewed and funding decisions be made?

Each funding opportunity will specify review criteria and selection processes aligned with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements, such as rural impact, feasibility, sustainability, and budget effectiveness. How is "rural" defined by the CMS and within the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)? How does this affect initiatives?

CMS uses Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) standards, classifying 51 of Montana’s 56 counties as non-metropolitan. Specific census tracts within the five metropolitan counties (Cascade, Gallatin, Lewis and Clark, Missoula, and Yellowstone) may also qualify. While initiatives must focus on rural health, they can include non-rural areas if they significantly benefit rural populations.

Can organizations located in non-rural or urban areas apply for RHTP funding? Yes, provided the work demonstrably benefits rural communities. Initiatives must focus on rural health but can include non-rural regions if the rural impact is clear.

Are Montana's RHTP initiatives submitted in the Project Narrative final? Yes. The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) initiatives submitted on Nov.

5, 2025 are final and funded as awarded. Per CMS rules, initiatives cannot be added or removed, though the state may adjust funding, goals, and timelines within them. What is the Rural Health Center of Excellence (CoE) and what will it do?

Part of the second initiative , the CoE is a time-bound program providing data-backed, tailored recommendations to improve rural health facility sustainability and care delivery. Facilities can opt in to receive financial incentives for implementing these transformation plans. For details, see Montana’s RHTP Project Narrative.

What is the Rural Health CoE Governing Board and how does it differ from the RHTP Stakeholder Advisory Committee? The Rural Health CoE Governing Board is expected to serve as the oversight and decision-making body for the Rural Health CoE. In that role, the CoE Governing Board may provide facility-specific optional recommendations to participating hospitals, informed by data, best practices, and rural health expertise.

The RHTP Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC) will serve in an advisory role, offering input and perspectives from a broad range of stakeholders. However, it will not have decision-making authority or issue recommendations to individual facilities. When will Rural Health CoE Governing Board appointments be announced?

The Department will finish appointing members to the Rural Health CoE Governing Board over the next few months, subject to the timing of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) budget approval. The Department aims to balance rural health experience with subject-matter expertise to ensure a qualified, representative board. In the award period, when must funds be used?

How will DPHHS pass funds from the federal government onto local governments and organizations? What happens when the funding ends? The RHTP receives annual funding over five budget periods.

Funds must be used by the end of the following period or they will be redistributed to other states. While Montana may distribute funds via subawards or subcontracts to execute initiatives, specific decisions have not yet been made. All efforts prioritize sustainability and impact beyond the five-year grant term.

What restrictions are outlined by the CMS in the NOFO as to how funds can be used? CMS prohibits using RHTP funds for construction, major building projects, cosmetic upgrades, independent research, or restricted telecommunications equipment. Additionally, funds cannot supplant existing funding streams.

For a complete list of restrictions, see pages 18–22 of the NOFO and the CMS FAQ . How will stakeholders engage with Montana’s RHTP?

RHTP incorporates stakeholder input through three main channels: Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC): Convened by the Montana Office of Rural Health, the SAC represents rural, tribal, provider, and partner perspectives; provides structured input on RHTP implementation, priorities, and emerging issues; meets bi-annually, with materials and summaries shared publicly when appropriate. The SAC does not have any decision-making authority.

CoE Board: A time-bound group ensuring impacted stakeholders participate in CoE decision-making. Website: Central hub for updates, timelines, and procurement. Email Inbox: Dedicated channel for direct feedback and questions at HHSRuralHealthTransformation@mt.

gov . Stakeholder Advisory Meetings RHTP Stakeholder Advisory Committee Meetings Montana State University, Bozeman Rural Health Transformation Stakeholder Advisory Committee presentation, Jan. 22, 2026 There are several open positions related to the RHTP.

Apply today! March 11, 2026 Vendor Webinar Video Recording and PowerPoint Presentation Rural Health Transformation Stakeholder Advisory Committee presentation, Jan. 22, 2026 and Meeting Summary RHTP Five Core Initiatives Rural Health Transformation Program legislative presentation, Jan.

13, 2026 The Rural Health Transformation Program is supported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $233,509,358. 76 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

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