Ohio Rural Health Transformation Program: Federal Funding to Strengthen Rural Care

In late 2025, Ohio was awarded more than $200 million under the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program — a new federal initiative administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and authorized by the federal reconciliation law — to support sustainable healthcare improvements in the state’s rural communities.

Why This Matters for Rural Providers
Ohio’s rural counties face persistent access, workforce, and health outcome challenges. With 73 of its 88 counties classified as fully or significantly rural, many Ohio residents live far from care, experience higher rates of chronic disease, and contend with limited specialty services.

The RHT Program is designed to help address these systemic gaps by providing states significant resources to expand access, modernize infrastructure, strengthen clinical workforces, and advance innovative care models in ways that meet the unique needs of rural populations.

Program Goals and Strategic Priorities
Under the Ohio Rural Health Transformation Program, federal funding will support initiatives that:

• Improve sustainable access to care through expanded services and community partnerships.
• Develop and retain a skilled rural health workforce with grant-supported recruitment, training, and retention incentives.
• Modernize rural facilities and technology to enhance care delivery and coordination.
• Strengthen integrated, innovative care models that bring high-quality services closer to patients — including expanded school-based health centers and evidence-based home visiting programs.

Ohio’s plan also includes the establishment of Rural Health Innovation Hubs — collaboration networks linking hospitals, community health centers, behavioral health providers, pharmacies, and others to advance coordinated, value-driven care.

Opportunities for Provider Participation
The Ohio Department of Health is actively soliciting proposals from rural health organizations to participate in workforce pipeline initiatives, pharmacy service expansions, and other funded projects through posted Requests for Proposal (RFPs) — providing providers with opportunities to secure support for locally tailored improvements.

Providers should evaluate available funding streams and consider applying where alignment exists with strategic goals, such as workforce development, care coordination, or infrastructure upgrades.

Considerations for Members
While the RHT award represents a substantial federal investment in rural health, it is part of a multi-year allocation and requires careful planning to ensure effective deployment. Early engagement with funding opportunities and alignment with state-led goals can help rural hospitals and clinics leverage these resources to strengthen access, workforce stability, and patient outcomes.

Alliant Support for Members
Alliant’s reimbursement and operational experts can help member organizations assess eligibility for RHT-related grants, identify strategic opportunities for participation, and integrate program-aligned initiatives into broader rural health sustainability efforts. If your organization is evaluating how to pursue these funds or structure proposals, Alliant can support planning and execution.