California FAQ, Kentucky plan approval, Maine and Oregon webinars, Montana and South Dakota program detail. AZ, IA, and KT legislation
Rural Health Transformation Program Daily Brief, March 20, 2026
California posted an FAQ to go along w/ yesterdays’ program briefing
Upshot:
On January 30, 2026, as required by CMS, California submitted a revised CalRHT budget that further describes CalRHT planning for the award. After receipt of the revision, CMS has up to 45 additional days to review the CalRHT revised budget and notify California if further revisions are needed or if it will accept the revised budget.
Kentucky adds to nav and refers to their approved plan
Changed the naviagation and wording of their website to indicate that CMS hass approved their narrative (though no detailed budget yet) and added a section called “Funding Opportunities” (watch this space :-)
Maine posts webinars
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, will host a webinar on two dates to provide in-depth updates on this work:
Thursday, March 26 at 3 p.m. – register here
Tuesday, March 31 at 12 p.m. – register here
The webinar will include an overview of the program, the State’s implementation activity since December, adjustments to Maine’s budget to meet federal requirements and the final award, and plans for launching Maine RHTP activities. The anticipated timeline for funding opportunities and next steps for provider participation will also be discussed.
Oregon to hold an RFGP webinar
On March 25th, OHA will host a webinar to help organizations prepare for the grant proposal process that is expected to begin early April. This webinar will cover steps organizations can take now in preparation for the Request for Grant Proposal (RFGP).
Webinar Information:
Date: March 25, 2026
Time: 2:00-3:00PM PST
Platform: Teams Webinar
Registration Link: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/db880423-1b12-41c4-abc9-826bb02f391c@658e63e8-8d39-499c-8f48-13adc9452f4c
South Dakota adds detail on a workforce initiative
Under “Advancing the Rural Workforce”:
Building a Sustainable Rural Healthcare Workforce
Strengthens the rural healthcare workforce through an incentive-based program that attracts, develops, and retains professionals across critical roles and care settings.
Montana posts details
Lots of updates to their website, including links to a new-to-me presentation from January 2026: Montana Rural Health Transformation Program Stakeholder Advisory Committee. Rich in program detail.
Legislation watch
Arizona SB1316: A governance and accountability bill establishing the Arizona Rural Health Transformation Fund as a formal legislative structure for managing RHTP funds. The bill creates the Arizona Rural Health Transformation Fund, involves AHCCCS as the administering agency, and requires an expenditure plan to be reviewed by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC). LegiScan
Arizona was awarded $166,988,956 for fiscal year 2026 by CMS, with AHCCCS designated by Governor Hobbs as the lead agency. Azahcccs
The bill has passed one chamber and is currently assigned to the House Rules Committee.
Iowa HF2468: Iowa’s primary RHTP spending authority and oversight bill. The bill would give the state Department of Health and Human Services the authority to distribute Iowa’s $209 million in federal rural health transformation funding. KCRG
The legislation would create the Iowa Rural Health Transformation Fund and require the Iowa Department of HHS to file quarterly reports on how the agency is allocating the federal funds, including county-level data on where the money is allocated. The Gazette
Formerly HSB 619; passed committee 23-0 on March 18 and is now in an introduced posture awaiting floor action.
Kentucky HB500: Kentucky’s biennial executive branch budget bill and the vehicle through which RHTP funds flow at the state level. Kentucky has been awarded approximately $213 million for FY2026–FY2027. Implementation will be guided by an interdisciplinary A3 Team (Aspire → Activate → Attain) within the Kentucky Department for Public Health. The bill passed the House 81-18 and has now advanced to a Conference Committee appointed in both chambers as of today.