California webinar Apr 25, Oregon funding restrictions lifted; Legislation watch for HI, ID, MS, MO, AK, and UT
Rural Health Transformation Program Daily Brief, March 28, 2026
California posts webinar registration
First one since October 2025.
California Rural Health Transformation Program – Spring 2026 Webinar | April 21, 2026 | Register
Oregon posts materials
March 25, 2026 Informational Webinar
Some notes, via the transcript:
Funds Unrestricted as of March 20, 2026 The single biggest news item: CMS lifted restrictions on all Oregon RHTP funds last Friday (March 20). Previously only state staffing funds were accessible; the remaining ~$197M intended for subawardees was frozen. This clears the way for the RFGP to move forward.
RFGP Opens Early April, ~45-Day Window The Catalyst Awards request for grant proposals is expected to open in early April with approximately 45 days to apply. Up to 80 awards will be granted in this phase, ranging from $200K minimum per project to $5M maximum per proposal per budget period.
$80M Available Per Budget Period Each of the two budget periods in this phase has $80M available, subject to CMS approval for period 2.
Vendor Interest Form + October Vendor Fair Oregon’s Office of Rural Health is expanding its annual rural health conference in October to include an RHTP vendor fair — allowing healthcare providers and vendors to connect for Catalyst Award implementation and Phase 2 planning. A vendor interest form is live now for tech vendors who want to be in a publicly accessible directory.
If you would like to be included, please complete the form at the following link: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019c8c4dc64574cc8d9c0507aaba0e98
Legislation Watch
Hawaii SCR27 / SR24: These companion resolutions have now gotten their public hearing before the Senate HHS Committee (March 30). The resolutions state that “the availability of these specific Rural Health Transformation Program funds provides an immediate and critical financial pathway to support the high initial costs of establishing a medical residency program on Maui” and that “securing these funds requires alignment with the State’s strategic goals and coordination with the oversight team managing the implementation of the Hawaii Rural Health Transformation Plan.” LegiScan
Hawaii’s RHTP application proposed a pipeline initiative expanding education, recruitment and retention of healthcare workers across rural Hawaii through certificate programs, residencies, loan repayment, scholarships, and mentoring PAEA — making the Maui residency program a direct downstream use of RHTP workforce funding.
Idaho S1264: Idaho’s RHTP spending authority bill has now passed its Second Reading as amended in the House and is filed for Third Reading — one floor vote away from passing the chamber and heading to the governor. Those funds cannot reach communities until spending authority has been approved by the Legislature Idaho Business Review, and with session approaching its end, this is the bill’s final opportunity to clear before Idaho risks losing its first-year $186 million award.
Mississippi SB2477: The enrolled RHTP procurement accountability bill is now due back from the Governor by April 2. The legislation puts guardrails on RHTP fund distribution, prioritizing rural areas and the Delta region, programs that provide direct assistance to providers and patients rather than vendors, and grant recipients that have not received state or federal assistance for facility improvements or medical equipment in the past three years, and requires quarterly legislative reports. Mississippi Today
Governor Reeves’ signature would make it the first completed RHTP-specific legislation in Mississippi.
Appropriation & Budgetary Links
Alaska HB289: Alaska’s supplemental appropriations bill — which includes the governor’s $272 million RHTP amendment — has passed both chambers and is now due back from the Governor by April 14. Signature would formally unlock Alaska’s first-year award for deployment through the Alaska Community Foundation and the Department of Health.
Missouri HB2011: Missouri’s FY2027 DSS appropriations bill passed the House 138-11 and now moves to the Senate. This is the vehicle for the remaining RHTP funds beyond the $100 million already signed into law — passage would give Missouri full access to its $216 million first-year award.
Utah HB0002 / SB0003: Both of Utah’s supplemental appropriations bills have been signed by the Governor and filed with the Lieutenant Governor’s office — making them law. Utah received $195 million in first-year RHTP funding (Utahhospitals), organized across seven initiatives including workforce development (RISE), capital infrastructure and EMS (SHIFT), telehealth (LIFT), and technology (SUPPORT and LINCS). HB0002 covers the new fiscal year supplemental; SB0003 covers the current fiscal year supplemental. Together they complete Utah’s legislative appropriations process for RHTP and clear the path for DHHS to begin distributing funds to rural providers.