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
Ohio’s RHTP Program
Key Initiatives & Focus Areas
- Rural Health Innovation Hubs
- OH SEE — mobile vision, hearing, and dental services (expanding from 13-county pilot)
- School-based health centers (K-12 and college campuses)
- EMS treat-in-place and alternate-destination care models
- Rural workforce pipeline program
Unique Aspects of Ohio’s Program
- 5 distinct program pillars with unique branding (Innovation Hubs, OH SEE, etc.)
- School-based health centers serving K-12 students and college campuses
- EMS treat-in-place and alternate-destination care model — innovative emergency response
- OH SEE expansion from 13-county pilot to statewide mobile vision, hearing, dental
- Proposals accepted January 2 - March 10, 2026
- Political tension: $202M viewed as insufficient to offset Medicaid cuts
How Technology Supports RHTP in Ohio
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 Ohio:
- 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 Ohio 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 Ohio
RHTP funds flow from CMS to Ohio 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 Ohio should contact Ohio Department of Health (ODH) 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 Ohio
How much did Ohio receive for RHTP?
Ohio received $202,030,262 in FY2026 RHTP funding, administered by the Ohio Department of Health. The program features 5 distinct pillars including Innovation Hubs, OH SEE, and school-based health centers.
What are Ohio's Rural Health Innovation Hubs?
Innovation Hubs are a cornerstone of Ohio's RHTP, creating regional centers for healthcare transformation, technology deployment, workforce development, and care coordination in rural communities.
What is the OH SEE program?
OH SEE provides mobile vision, hearing, and dental services in rural Ohio. Originally a 13-county pilot program, RHTP funding enables statewide expansion of these essential screening and treatment services.
How does Ohio's RHTP use school-based health centers?
Ohio's RHTP establishes health centers in K-12 schools and college campuses in rural areas, providing students with access to primary care, behavioral health, dental care, and preventive services without leaving school.
What is Ohio's EMS treat-in-place model?
Ohio's RHTP funds EMS treat-in-place and alternate-destination care models, allowing emergency responders to treat patients on-site when appropriate and direct them to the most suitable care setting, reducing unnecessary ER visits.
Who is eligible for Ohio RHTP funding?
Eligible organizations include Critical Access Hospitals, FQHCs, Rural Health Clinics, school districts, behavioral health providers, EMS agencies, and other healthcare organizations. Proposals were accepted January 2 - March 10, 2026.
What technology does Ohio's RHTP fund?
Ohio's RHTP supports Innovation Hub technology, telehealth infrastructure, EHR modernization, health information exchange, mobile health unit equipment (OH SEE), remote patient monitoring, and care coordination platforms.
How can Ohio providers participate in RHTP?
Ohio providers should monitor the Ohio Department of Health (odh.ohio.gov) for subrecipient opportunities, future proposal windows, and Innovation Hub participation details.
Ready to Build RHTP-Ready Infrastructure in Ohio?
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.