Pennsylvania, Nebraska, and Washington Advisories, California narratives, Oregon FAQ, Nevada & Vermont RFPs; Big Ol Legislation Watch
Rural Health Transformation Program Brief, April 2, 2026
Pennsylvania launches nomination form for Advisory Council
Submit a nomination to be a part of the RHTP Rural Care Collaboratives (RCCs) or the Advisory Council.
Please note you must complete this form to be considered for the Advisory Council. The form closes on Friday, 4/10, at 5 PM.
RCCs – Planning body for the regions. Meetings will be open to the public.
Advisory Council – Subject Matter Experts available to provide technical assistance to the RCCs. This is not a decision-making body.
Nebraska is seeking applications for RHTP Health Care Advisory Regions
Emergency Medical Services (community or county-based) member application: https://dhhs.ne.gov/Documents/HCAR-Application-EMS-Provider.pdf
Emergency Medical Services (hospital-based) member application: https://dhhs.ne.gov/Documents/HCAR-Application-EMS-Provider.pdf
Ancillary Healthcare provider member application: https://dhhs.ne.gov/Documents/HCAR-Application-Ancillary-Provider.pdf
Washington is looking for Advisory Committee members
Apply for the Rural Health Transformation Program 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.
If you have experience in health care or public health, 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:
Email your resume and cover letter to HCA Rural Health Transformation Program
California adds narratives
CalRHT Project Narrative (March 27, 2026)
CalRHT Budget Narrative (March 27, 2026)
Nevada adds RFP page
Oregon published a robust FAQ yesterday.
Vermont publishes RFP for stakeholder engagement
Closing date 4/24/2026 5:30 PM
Stakeholder Engagement & Development of a Statewide Health Care Delivery Strategic Plan
Montana launches Rural Health Center of Excellence (CoE) RFPs
As per email from DPHHS:
The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) is seeking proposals for two distinct components of Montana’s Rural Health Center of Excellence (CoE), as part of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).
The first request is for proposals to create the CoE; the second is for proposals to support facilities in implementing CoE recommendations.
Interested organizations can find the procurement details on the Montana Department of Administration website.
Legislation Watch
Primary RHT Legislative Actions
Five bills across three states directly implement, fund, or govern state-level Rural Health Transformation Program operations — with Oklahoma and Alabama leading in volume.
Oklahoma HB3975: Designates the Oklahoma State Department of Health as the lead RHTP agency, establishes the Oklahoma Rural Health Transformation Revolving Fund, sets reporting requirements for partner agencies, and requires memoranda of understanding between participating state entities. The bill codifies the governance structure Oklahoma committed to in its CMS application and carries an emergency clause. It passed the House 86-4 on March 11 and has been referred to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, then to Appropriations. (Oklahoma Legislature)
Oklahoma HB3066: Creates a Rural Health Transformation Revolving Fund within the Health Care Workforce Training Commission, enabling the commission to receive RHTP dollars, federal workforce grants, and other deposits earmarked for recruiting and retaining clinical talent in rural areas with a five-year service commitment. Sponsored by Rep. Ellen Pogemiller (D-Oklahoma City), it passed the House 87-5 on March 24 and has been referred to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, then to Appropriations. (Oklahoma Legislature)
Alabama HB591: Provides supplemental appropriations for Alabama’s Rural Health Transformation Program for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026 — the current-year funding vehicle needed to begin spending the state’s $203.4 million CMS award administered through ADECA. A motion to read a third time and pass as amended was adopted via Roll Call 1127, advancing the bill toward final House passage. (Alabama Legislature)
Alabama HB614: Appropriates funds for Alabama’s Rural Health Transformation Program for fiscal year 2027, establishing the forward-year spending authority for the second tranche of the state’s RHTP award. A motion to read a third time and pass was adopted via Roll Call 1129. (Alabama Legislature)
Alabama HB605: Creates the Rural Health Antitrust Immunity Act under the State Health Planning and Development Agency, authorizing rural health care providers to collaborate on service delivery, establishing a certification and supervision framework, and granting limited immunity from state and federal antitrust laws. The bill supports a structural commitment Alabama made in its RHTP application to CMS — enabling the provider coordination necessary for its 11 rural health initiatives. It passed the House and was read for the second time in the Senate, placed on the calendar as of late March. A companion bill, SB350, is moving in parallel. (Alabama Legislature)
Appropriation & Budgetary Links
Three bills carry RHTP funding as a line item or spending authority within broader budget vehicles.
Idaho S1453: Appropriates funds to the Department of Health and Welfare for the Rural Health Transformation Program, providing the spending authority the state needs to draw down its $186 million first-year CMS award. Idaho’s RHTP money had been in limbo for months while competing oversight bills (SB1264, HB862, HB916) stalled. On March 31, JFAC voted 14-4 to approve $3.7 million in federal funds for current-year program administration plus 12 new limited staff positions, then voted to approve roughly $295 million for fiscal year 2027 covering the remainder of the first-year grant and the second-year allocation. The bill was filed for second reading in the Senate as of April 1. (Idaho Capital Sun)
Missouri HB2011: The state’s omnibus appropriations bill for the Department of Health and Senior Services and Department of Social Services, which contains the spending authority Missouri needs before it can deploy its $216 million annual RHTP award. CMS approved Missouri’s revised budget earlier this year, but legislative appropriation remains the gating step. The bill passed the House and has been referred to Senate Appropriations for second reading. (Missouri House)
Alabama SB146: Alabama’s general State General Fund appropriations bill for fiscal year 2027. While not an RHTP-specific vehicle, the bill funds the executive agencies — including ADECA — that administer the state’s Rural Health Transformation Program. A motion to read a third time and pass as amended was adopted via Roll Call 1159, advancing it through the Senate. (Alabama Legislature)