Minnesota RFP, New Hampshire GO-NORTH, Alaska youtube, Tennessee info session, Legislation Watch for ID, MS, TN, UT & WV
Rural Health Transformation Program Daily Brief, March 27, 2026
Minnesota publsihes RFP for Rural Health Transformation Program Health Information Technology Advisory Services
Received yesterday via email.
MDH’s Office of Rural Health and Primary Care seeks Request for Proposals (RFP) for one or more vendors to provide professional technical advisory services related to a variety of health information technology purchases funded through its Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).
The vendor will play a critical role in advising MDH on appropriate health information technology (HIT) purchases on the part of RHTP subgrantees and how to create an effective monitoring program for oversight of these purchases. Subgrantees will include rural hospitals, rural clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers, Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers/community mental health centers, rural Tribal nations, and potentially other local organizations that participate in patient care and/or support patients’ health-related social needs.
Responses are due no later than 12:00 pm, April 20
Please view the RFP on MN’s RHTP Funding page
Companies interested in responding to the RFP must do so through the State of Minnesota’s SWIFT Supplier Portal as directed in the RFP.
The SWIFT Event number is 2000018129
New Hampshire launches Governor’s Office of New Opportunities & Rural Transformational Health
Goals for GO-NORTH and New Hampshire’s Rural Health Transformation Program include:
Make rural New Hampshire healthier through prevention, chronic disease management, and improved behavioral and maternal health.
Ensure sustainable access to care by strengthening rural hospitals, health centers, EMS, and telehealth services.
Build and retain a skilled rural health workforce through education, training, and career pathways.
Promote financial sustainability with innovative payment model and value-based care.
Modernize care delivery by expanding technology, interoperability, and data security.
Current Contracts & Award page:
GO-NORTH & CMS RHT Contracts, Awards, Reporting, & More
Contract pending approval by Governor and Executive Council at the March 25, 2026 meeting:
Contracts PASSED at the Special Governor and Executive Council Meeting on March 16, 2026:
Contracts for grant period one, TABLED during March 4, 2026 meeting:
Items PASSED by the Governor and Executive Council on March 4, 2026:
Recent news from a GO-NORTH meeting: Executive Council narrowly approves fifth rural health program contract (New Hampshire Bulletin)
Alaska posts new video of RHTP impacts session #1: Strengthen Workforce
Overall sentiment from the session:retention beats recruitment. Long-term incentives tied to 5-year commitments, housing assistance, childcare partnerships, and career growth pathways were emphasized over signing bonuses.
Tennessee offers Informational Session for Statewide Partners
The registration page link is currently a 404— I have an email in to them so it likely will be fixed soon.
Informational Session for Statewide Partners
10 a.m. Central | Tue., March 31, 2026
Lear more about Tennessee’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) and upcoming competitive funding opportunities. This informational session will provide a high-level overview of the RHT vision, key background and context, and how these opportunities align with the state’s broader strategy. We’ll briefly walk through each competitive opportunity, including what it supports and who may want to apply. We’ll close with next steps, including how to submit questions and where to find materials. We look forward to sharing more and connecting with interested partners.
Their website still states: “As of February 25, 2026, Tennessee is awaiting final CMS approval.”
Legislation watch
Primary RHT Legislative Actions
Idaho S1264: Idaho’s RHTP fund-creation and oversight bill is advancing in the House after clearing the Senate. Idaho Business Review
The bill has now been read for the first time as amended in the House and filed for Second Reading — the closest Idaho has come to unlocking its funds with session approaching its end.
Mississippi SB2477: Mississippi’s RHTP procurement accountability bill has passed both chambers and been enrolled — making it the first Mississippi RHTP-specific legislation to reach the governor’s desk. The legislation puts guardrails on RHTP fund distribution, calling for priority to be given to 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. It also requires quarterly legislative reports and mandates a competitive procurement process for establishing a statewide health information exchange. Mississippi Today
Mississippi HB1067: The companion House procurement bill — covering competitive bid requirements for RHTP vendors and subcontractors — is now in conference, with conferees Bryan, Hill, and DeBar named. Mississippi was awarded nearly $206 million as part of the Rural Health Transformation Program Mississippi Today, and lawmakers have expressed frustration with their limited role in how the governor’s office has led the application and distribution process. The conference signals both chambers are working to reconcile the two accountability bills before the session ends April 5.
West Virginia HB4951: The physician nutrition continuing education bill — one of West Virginia’s statutory commitments to CMS under its RHTP application — has passed both chambers and is now on its way to Governor Morrisey, transmitted March 25. The bill requires physicians to complete two hours of nutrition-focused CME as part of their licensing requirements, fulfilling a specific policy commitment embedded in West Virginia’s application that affects ongoing RHTP scoring.
Tennessee: Blackburn backs trio of bills targeting Tennessee’s rural health struggles (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Appropriation & Budgetary Links
Missouri HB2011: Missouri’s FY2027 DSS appropriations bill — the vehicle for the remaining RHTP funds beyond the $100 million already appropriated in the signed supplemental — has now passed the House on Third Read. It moves to the Senate, where it will need to clear before Missouri can access the full $216 million of its first-year RHTP award.
Utah HB0003: Utah’s appropriations adjustments bill has passed both chambers and is at the Governor’s office for action, subject to a line item veto. Utah’s first-year RHTP award totals $195.7 million, organized across seven initiatives including PATH ($29M for preventive health), RISE ($28.8M for workforce), SHIFT ($55.5M for capital infrastructure and EMS), LIFT ($26.5M for telehealth), and SUPPORT ($16.9M for technology including EHR and cybersecurity. Utah Legislature
The line item veto status means the governor has signed the broader bill but may have excised specific line items — the RHTP-related appropriations’ fate depends on which items were vetoed.
Lastly: nice roundup here: Healthcare Priorities in Governors’ 2026 State of the State Addresses (National Governors Association)