What Is the Rural Health Transformation Program?
The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) is a landmark $50 billion federal initiative created under Section 71401 of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21). Administered by CMS, the program distributes $10 billion annually from FY2026 through FY2030 to all 50 states through cooperative agreements — no state matching funds required.
RHTP is designed to transform rural healthcare by investing in infrastructure, technology, workforce, and care delivery models that create lasting, sustainable improvements for rural communities. Learn more about RHTP on our hub page.
Five Strategic Goals
Georgia’s RHTP Program
Key Initiatives & Focus Areas
- AHEAD Model hospital transitions for 86 eligible hospitals
- Hospital infrastructure investments ($175M+ allocated)
- Telehealth and digital health expansion
- Workforce development and recruitment programs
- Community health worker deployment
Unique Aspects of Georgia’s Program
- Distinctive "GREAT Health" branding — Georgia Rural Enhancement And Transformation of Health
- 29 separate projects organized across 5 categories
- Largest funding bucket ($428M+) allocated for AHEAD Model hospital transitions
- $175 million specifically designated for hospital infrastructure improvements
- 86 hospitals targeted for AHEAD Model transition — one of the most ambitious state plans
How Technology Supports RHTP in Georgia
The Interoperability Challenge
Rural healthcare facilities face significant technology gaps compared to their urban counterparts. Nationally, only 48% of rural hospitals have achieved basic interoperability, compared to 62% of urban hospitals. This data-sharing gap directly impacts care quality, coordination, and outcomes for rural patients.
RHTP’s Strategic Goal 5 specifically targets technology innovation, including a Technology Innovation Catalyst Fund that supports interoperability, telehealth, remote patient monitoring, AI-enabled health tools, and cybersecurity.
How Julota Addresses RHTP Technology Requirements
Julota is a cloud-based SaaS interoperability platform purpose-built for the challenges rural healthcare organizations face. Here’s how Julota supports RHTP goals in Georgia:
- FHIR-Native Interoperability: Julota’s platform supports HL7 FHIR APIs and G10 compliance, meeting the interoperability standards required by RHTP and the 21st Century Cures Act. Learn about Julota’s platform.
- Health Information Exchange Connectivity: Connect rural providers across Georgia to state and regional HIEs, enabling real-time data sharing that improves care coordination and reduces duplication.
- Care Coordination & Closed-Loop Referrals: Julota’s closed-loop referral management ensures patients don’t fall through the cracks — critical for rural communities where follow-up can require long-distance travel.
- MIH-CP & Community Paramedicine Support: Julota’s MIH-CP solution supports the mobile integrated health and community paramedicine models that many states are funding under RHTP.
RHTP Eligibility in Georgia
RHTP funds flow from CMS to Georgia through a cooperative agreement. The state then distributes funds to eligible subrecipients through competitive processes.
Eligible Organization Types
- Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) — Rural hospitals with 25 or fewer beds
- Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) — Community health centers serving underserved populations
- Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) — Clinics in designated shortage areas
- Community Behavioral Health Providers — Including Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs)
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS) — Ambulance services and first responders
- Tribal Health Organizations — Indian Health Service and tribal facilities
- Local Health Departments — County and regional public health agencies
- Universities and Training Programs — Workforce development partners
How to Apply
Organizations in Georgia should contact Georgia Department of Community Health for subrecipient application details. Most states distribute RHTP funds through competitive RFP processes that require demonstrating alignment with the state’s approved Rural Health Transformation Plan.
Key compliance requirements include SAM.gov registration, adherence to 2 CFR 200 uniform guidance, and commitment to quarterly and annual reporting on performance metrics and milestones.
Key Questions About RHTP in Georgia
What is the Georgia GREAT Health program?
GREAT Health (Georgia Rural Enhancement And Transformation of Health) is Georgia's RHTP program, with $218.8 million in FY2026 and a $1.4 billion five-year plan encompassing 29 projects across hospital transformation, infrastructure, telehealth, workforce, and community health.
How much did Georgia receive for rural health transformation?
Georgia received $218,800,000 in FY2026 RHTP funding, with a five-year plan totaling $1.4 billion. The program is administered by the Georgia Department of Community Health.
What is the AHEAD Model in Georgia's RHTP?
The AHEAD Model is a hospital transformation pathway targeting 86 eligible Georgia hospitals, representing the largest funding allocation ($428M+) in the GREAT Health program. It supports rural hospitals in transitioning to sustainable care delivery models.
Who is eligible for Georgia GREAT Health funding?
Eligible organizations include the 86 hospitals targeted for AHEAD Model transition, FQHCs, Rural Health Clinics, community behavioral health providers, EMS agencies, and other rural healthcare organizations across Georgia.
What technology does Georgia's GREAT Health support?
GREAT Health supports telehealth expansion, digital health tools, health information exchange connectivity, EHR modernization, remote patient monitoring, and interoperability infrastructure across Georgia's rural health system.
How many projects are in Georgia's RHTP plan?
Georgia's GREAT Health program includes 29 separate projects organized across 5 categories, making it one of the most comprehensive and ambitious RHTP implementation plans in the country.
How does Georgia's RHTP address hospital infrastructure?
Georgia allocated $175 million specifically for hospital infrastructure improvements, addressing physical facility needs, equipment upgrades, and technology modernization across rural hospitals.
How can Georgia providers apply for GREAT Health funding?
Rural healthcare providers should contact the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) for information on GREAT Health subrecipient opportunities and the competitive application process.
Ready to Build RHTP-Ready Infrastructure in Georgia?
Julota helps rural healthcare organizations meet RHTP interoperability requirements with a cloud-based platform that connects providers, enables data sharing, and supports care coordination across your community.