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
Pennsylvania’s RHTP Program
Key Initiatives & Focus Areas
- 8 Regional Rural Care Collaboratives (RCCs) through PREP organizations
- Maternity care expansion in rural areas
- Behavioral health integration
- Dental care access improvement
- Aging and primary/preventive care services
- State budget adds $10M state + $25.1M federal match ($35.1M) on top of RHTP
Unique Aspects of Pennsylvania’s Program
- 8 Regional Rural Care Collaboratives (RCCs) organized through PREP organizations
- Focus areas: maternity care, behavioral health, dental care, aging, primary/preventive care
- State budget adds $10M state + $25.1M federal match ($35.1M) supplementing RHTP
- Public webinar March 31, 2026 for program updates and provider engagement
- CREDC helping implement the plan — economic development angle alongside health
How Technology Supports RHTP in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania:
- 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
RHTP funds flow from CMS to Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania should contact Department of Human Services 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 Pennsylvania
How much did Pennsylvania receive for RHTP?
Pennsylvania received $193,000,000 in FY2026 RHTP funding, plus an additional $35.1 million from state budget supplements ($10M state + $25.1M federal match), administered by the Department of Human Services.
What are Pennsylvania's Rural Care Collaboratives?
RCCs are 8 regional collaboratives organized through PREP organizations that coordinate RHTP implementation across rural Pennsylvania, focusing on maternity care, behavioral health, dental care, aging, and primary/preventive care.
How does PA supplement RHTP funding?
Pennsylvania's state budget adds $10 million in state funds plus $25.1 million in federal matching funds ($35.1 million total) on top of the $193 million RHTP award, making it one of the most generously funded state RHTP programs.
Who is eligible for Pennsylvania RHTP funding?
Eligible organizations include Critical Access Hospitals, FQHCs, Rural Health Clinics, behavioral health providers, dental practices, aging service providers, and other healthcare organizations within the 8 RCC regions.
What technology does Pennsylvania's RHTP support?
Pennsylvania's RHTP supports telehealth infrastructure, EHR modernization, health information exchange connectivity, care coordination technology, remote patient monitoring, and interoperability platforms across the 8 RCC regions.
How does Pennsylvania's RHTP address maternity care?
Maternity care is a core focus of Pennsylvania's RCCs, supporting telehealth-enabled prenatal care, rural obstetric services, postpartum monitoring, and maternal health programs across the state's rural communities.
What role does CREDC play in Pennsylvania's RHTP?
CREDC (Community and Regional Economic Development Center) helps implement Pennsylvania's Rural Health Transformation Plan, bringing economic development expertise to align healthcare investments with broader community revitalization.
How can PA providers participate in RHTP?
Pennsylvania providers should visit pa.gov/agencies/dhs for RHTP details, contact their regional Rural Care Collaborative, and monitor announcements from the Department of Human Services for subrecipient opportunities.
Ready to Build RHTP-Ready Infrastructure in Pennsylvania?
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.