Ohio RFP, Washington director, Arizona summary
Oregon publishes slides, recording, and vendor database with
Ohio publishes Chronic Disease RFP
You are invited to participate in the following solicitation: DOH 59808- Rural Health Transformation Program- Healthier Ohio Initiatives -Preventing and Addressing Chronic Disease- Track One
This opportunity opened on Apr. 13 and will close on Tuesday, June16 at 3 p.m. Details on the opportunity are available on the Ohio Department of Health Solicitation Proposal page.
This solicitation is not posted in OhioBuys; all inquiries should be sent to procurement@odh.ohio.gov per the RFP.
Washington announces new RHT Director and Advisory Committee application
We’re pleased to announce we’ve hired a new Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program director. After competitive recruitment with a range of qualified candidates, we’ve selected Priya Helweg to join our team.
Priya comes to us with 20 years of federal health policy experience at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS):
Office of the Secretary
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Headquarters
CMS Region 10 Office, where she engaged in rural health work across Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and with 272 federally recognized Tribes
Priya is an expert at translating federal policy into accountable implementation. Her background includes grant management, interagency coordination, Tribal consultation, and stakeholder engagement. She’s ready to hit the ground running with the RHT Program on April 16.
They also used this time to recruit for the Advisory Committee:
As part of Washington state’s RHT Program, we’re organizing an advisory committee (AC). The RHT-AC will help prioritize projects, make policy recommendations, and play a driving role for the RHT Program.
Per Latest News:
If you have experience in health care or public health—or lived experience in rural Washington—as well as passion for improving systems, we encourage you to apply. Your work could make all the difference for rural Washingtonians.
Apply by Friday, April 24:
Review the position description and additional guidance for applications.
Email your resume and cover letter to HCA Rural Health Transformation Program. If relevant to the position you’re applying for, please also include a letter of support from your Tribe/Tribal organization or professional organization.
Arizona publishes summary
Rural Health Transformation Program Summary Presentation has been added to the toolkit.
See also:
Oregon publishes webinar recording, slides, and vendor database
Interested Applicant Webinar
Additionally, below you can find the link to Vendors interested in partnering for the RFGP.
Legislation Watch
Primary RHT Legislative Actions
In Arizona, SB1316 heading toward a final House vote, Oklahoma’s HB4040 is now Direct to Calendar in the Senate, and Alaska’s HJR32 moves to Senate Rules.
Arizona SB1316: The Arizona Rural Health Transformation Fund bill has cleared the House Committee of the Whole with a Do Pass recommendation — the last procedural step before a final House vote and transmittal back to the Senate. SB1316 was engrossed out of the Senate on February 10, passed House Health and Human Services on March 23, cleared House Rules on March 30, and was placed on the House consent calendar. The companion vehicle, HB2233 (rural health transformation monies; review), passed House HHS as a strike-everything amendment and tracks the same policy framework. Arizona’s $166.99 million FY2026 RHTP award — the sixth-lowest in the nation — is administered by AHCCCS, with Governor Hobbs launching the official RHTP website and rolling out competitive and direct award grants through Summer 2026. AZ Public Health Association
SB1316 establishes the state-level statutory framework for receiving and disbursing Arizona’s $167 million annual RHTP allocation across four investment areas: $57 million annually for rural workforce development, $45 million for access expansion (telehealth, mobile clinics, transportation), $27 million for priority health grants (behavioral health, maternal-fetal health, chronic disease), and the remainder for provider resiliency and technology modernization. AZBio
SB1316 has passed the House Committee of the Whole and awaits a final House vote.
Oklahoma HB4040: The Oklahoma Rural Health Transformation Act was engrossed on April 14 after passing the House 91–3, cleared the Senate Committee on Appropriations and Budget 22–0 the day before, and was moved Direct to Calendar on April 15 — skipping the usual second committee referral and positioning the bill for a Senate floor vote imminently. With an emergency clause attached, HB4040 will take effect immediately upon the Governor’s signature. KGOU
Oklahoma now has its statutory framework bill on the cusp of final passage, complementing HB3066 (the workforce Revolving Fund still in Senate Appropriations). The state’s $223.5 million RHTP award is already flowing through 29 program initiatives, with the Department of Health administering roughly $202 million.
HB4040 is Direct to Calendar and positioned for Senate floor action.
Alaska HJR32: The joint resolution explicitly titled “Rural Health Transformation Program” — which passed the House 40–0 on third reading — has been referred to Senate Rules for scheduling on the Senate floor. HJR32 continues Alaska’s dedicated RHTP legislative track alongside HB263 (operating budget), HB289 (supplemental, now effective), and SB281/HB352 (licensure compacts introduced in April). Alaska’s News Source
Alaska’s $1.36 billion five-year federal commitment — the highest per-capita in the nation — hinges on the state meeting the December 31, 2027 deadline for licensure compacts and scope-of-practice expansions. HJR32 signals legislative intent but does not itself satisfy the federal prerequisites.
HJR32 is in Senate Rules awaiting floor scheduling.