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
Kentucky’s RHTP Program
Key Initiatives & Focus Areas
- PoWERing — telehealth-enabled maternal and infant health care
- Rooted in Health — rural dental access initiative
- Crisis to Care — integrated EMS response model
- Rapid Response to Recovery — mobile crisis response and telepsychiatry
- Rural Community Hubs — chronic care management centers
Unique Aspects of Kentucky’s Program
- Five branded initiatives with memorable names (PoWERing, Rooted in Health, Crisis to Care, Rapid Response to Recovery, Rural Community Hubs)
- Dedicated A3 Team created specifically to manage RHTP implementation
- Telehealth-enabled maternal care as explicit strategic focus
- Mobile crisis response integrated with telepsychiatry
- Rural dental access initiative addresses a critical gap
- Dedicated portal: ruralhealthplan.ky.gov
How Technology Supports RHTP in Kentucky
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 Kentucky:
- 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky
RHTP funds flow from CMS to Kentucky 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 Kentucky should contact Department for Public Health (DPH) / "A3 Team" 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 Kentucky
What is Team Kentucky Rural Health Transformation?
Team Kentucky Rural Health Transformation is Kentucky's $212.9 million RHTP program featuring five branded initiatives: PoWERing (maternal care), Rooted in Health (dental), Crisis to Care (EMS), Rapid Response to Recovery (behavioral health), and Rural Community Hubs (chronic care).
How much did Kentucky receive for RHTP?
Kentucky received $212,900,000 in FY2026 RHTP funding, administered by the Department for Public Health through a dedicated A3 Team created specifically for RHTP implementation.
What is the PoWERing initiative in Kentucky's RHTP?
PoWERing is Kentucky's telehealth-enabled maternal and infant health initiative under RHTP, expanding prenatal care, obstetric services, and infant health monitoring in rural communities through technology-assisted care delivery.
What is the Crisis to Care initiative?
Crisis to Care is Kentucky's integrated EMS response model under RHTP, modernizing emergency medical services in rural areas with technology-enabled triage, treat-in-place protocols, and alternative destination care.
Who is eligible for Kentucky RHTP funding?
Eligible organizations include Critical Access Hospitals, FQHCs, Rural Health Clinics, behavioral health providers, EMS agencies, dental providers, and other healthcare organizations serving Kentucky's rural communities.
What technology does Kentucky's RHTP support?
Kentucky's RHTP supports telehealth for maternal and behavioral health, telepsychiatry, remote patient monitoring, EHR modernization, health information exchange, mobile crisis technology, and care coordination platforms.
How does Kentucky address rural dental access through RHTP?
The Rooted in Health initiative expands dental care access in rural Kentucky through telehealth-enabled dental services, mobile dental units, and funding for dental providers in underserved areas.
How can Kentucky providers apply for RHTP?
Kentucky providers should visit ruralhealthplan.ky.gov for information on RHTP opportunities. The A3 Team manages the competitive application process for subrecipient funding.
Ready to Build RHTP-Ready Infrastructure in Kentucky?
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.