Nebraska publishes 3 RFPs, Florida rural definition, and Oklahoma NOFO, and lots to report on the Legislation Watch
Rural Health Transformation Program Daily Brief, March 17, 2026
Nebraska releases three grant opporunities
RHTP-1.2 Make Rural Nebraska Healthy Again Through Food as Medicine aims to assess the landscape of food cooperatives and food pantries that procure locally grown items used in school nutrition programs and identify readiness for partnerships with schools by strengthening regional and local food aggregation hubs through the development of procurement tools for producers. Eligible applicants include producers (farmers and ranchers), food cooperatives, non-profit entities, and food pantries interested in partnering with schools. Applications are due April 8, 2026. For more information, visit https://dhhs.ne.gov/Grants%20and%20Contract%20Opportunity%20Docs/RHTP%20Initiative%201.2%20RFA.pdf
RHTP-3.3 Rural Health Care Workforce Incentive and Sustainability Model aims to strengthen Nebraska’s health care workforce by supporting the development and expansion of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) third-party partners focused on health care career pathways. Eligible entities include local governments, Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit or for-profit entities. Applications are due June 1, 2026. For more information, visit https://dhhs.ne.gov/Grants%20and%20Contract%20Opportunity%20Docs/RHTP-3.3%20SNAP%20ET%20RFA.pdf
RHTP-4.4A Chronic Disease Management Navigation and Education Initiative aims to connect people in need with resources to promote healthy living and strengthen coordination among patients and health systems. Eligible applicants include rural clinics, federally qualified health centers, certified community behavioral health clinics, local health departments, critical access hospitals, rural emergency hospitals, rural hospitals, tribal health facilities, and more. Applications are due by March 17, 2026. For more information, visit https://dhhs.ne.gov/Grants%20and%20Contract%20Opportunity%20Docs/RHTP-4.4A-Chronic-Disease-Management-Navigation-and-Education-Initiative.pdf
Note: the press release for these RFPs is dated March 11, 2026, but it does not appear to have been posted to their site until yesterday. One of the RFPs is due today.
Florida publishes more detail on their definition of “rural”
To ensure RHTP funding appropriately reaches rural residents throughout Florida, including those living in rural pockets not captured under county level designations, the following expanded rural eligibility definition has been developed. Applicants must demonstrate that their proposed service area meets one or more of the following four pathways:
Oklahoma publishes NOFO for Community-Led Wellness Hubs: Microgrants
Many rural communities in Oklahoma have limited resources to purchase lasting assets that could improve health care access, outcomes and whole-person health.
During stakeholder engagement for Oklahoma’s RHT Program application, communities shared a need for basic health enablers such as diagnostic tools or exercise and fitness equipment.
This Microgrant program is designed to support one-time purchases that can make an immediate, meaningful difference in health care access, outcomes and community wellness.
Application
The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. CT, April 13, 2026.
Notice of Funding Opportunity: RHTP2026001(.pdf)
Attachment A: List of eligible counties and communities considered rural under the OK RHTP definition (.xlsx)
Attachment B: Subrecipient responsibilities(.pdf)
Attachment C: Budget forms: base award & supplemental (.xlsx)
Attachment D: Example applications (illustrative only) (.pdf)
Attachment E: Grants management materials (.docx)
Legislation Watch
Primary RHT Legislative Actions
These bills were specifically written to create the infrastructure or reporting for the program:
OK HB3975: Explicitly creates the Oklahoma Rural Health Transformation Program (ORHT) and the associated Revolving Fund. It designates the State Department of Health as the lead agency for federal fund disbursement. This bill was referred for engrossment in the House on March 11.
ID S1264: Establishes the Idaho Rural Health Transformation Fund and a new Rural Health Transformation Committee (consisting of six legislators) to oversee the $272M+ in federal grant money. This bill remains on the Senate calendar following its introduction and initial floor hearing.
KS HB2555: A transparency and oversight bill that requires all grant applications and expenditure reports for the Rural Health Transformation Program to be presented to the state finance council and legislative budget committees. This bill was enrolled and presented to the Governor on March 16.
WV SB570: A supplemental appropriation bill that adds a specific line item for the Rural Health Transformation Program (Fund 8802) to the Department of Health, totaling $199,476,099 for FY2026. Legislative action is complete following the House message received by the Senate on March 14.
Appropriation & Budgetary Links
These bills provide the actual funding or “carry-through” for RHT activities:
UT HB0003: This Utah budget bill (along with HB0002 and SB0003) includes a $10 million transfer for FY2026 and FY2027 from the Department of Health and Human Services to the Department of Environmental Quality specifically for rural drinking water initiatives funded via the federal RHT program. This bill was sent to the Governor on March 16.
KY HB500: While this is a broad executive branch budget bill, it includes the appropriations for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to manage Kentucky’s $212.9 million RHT award, including the creation of a new “A3 Team” to manage the five core RHT initiatives. The bill was assigned to the Senate Appropriations & Revenue Committee on March 2.
AK HB289: This supplemental appropriation bill includes the state’s initial $272 million RHT award, though as your list notes, it has faced recent procedural hurdles (motion to withdraw from rules failed). The bill was returned to the House Rules Committee on March 12.