Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP)

• November 6, 2025 draft
• October 27, 2025 draft
• October 10, 2025 draft

The RHTP is a new federal program created by Congress in 2025 to improve rural health care across all fifty states. It provides $50 billion over five years for states to support better access to care, stronger health systems, and healthier communities. Half of the funds are split evenly across all approved states, and the other half is distributed based on how rural the state is and the quality of the state’s RHTP application.

Alaska expects to receive significant funding because of our size, geography, and rural health care needs. Funds will help strengthen health systems, support healthier families, expand access to care, expand the health workforce, and invest in technology and innovation.

The goal of RHTP is to help make health care work better for all Alaskans by improving access and prevention, expanding workforce, leveraging technology, and creating long-lasting changes that help people stay healthy. The program encourages innovation, strengthens local, regional and statewide partnerships, supports a robust hub-and-spoke health care delivery model, and builds a more sustainable and connected statewide health system that serves all Alaskans.

Yes! Organizations anywhere in Alaska will be able to apply. Although the program is designed to improve health in rural, remote, and frontier regions, Alaska’s health system is deeply interconnected. Many rural residents receive care in regional hubs and larger communities. Projects based in urban areas can improve rural health outcomes. If a project supports the RHTP goals, strengthens the health care system, or supports the health of rural Alaskans in any way, it may be eligible for funding.

Many types of organizations will be eligible for RHTP funding, including but not limited to:

• Health care providers
• Tribes and Tribal Health Organizations
• Hospitals and clinics
• Behavioral health and substance use treatment organizations
• Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and emergency care entities
• Social service organizations
• Local governments
• Health workforce and training programs
• Technology and innovation partners
• Schools, universities, vocational and other education partners
• Child care providers and early childhood development programs
• Provider and trade associations
• Other nonprofits or community-based organizations working on health or community well-being

RHTP funds will support a wide range of innovative projects that fit within Alaska’s six initiatives, which can be found in the RHTP Project Narrative. Examples include:

• Expanding access to primary, maternal, behavioral, specialty, or oral health care
• Training, recruiting, or retaining health workers
• Upgrading clinics, EMS resources, or health care settings
• Strengthening value-based care and innovative payment models
• Launching new mobile or itinerant services
• Investing in telehealth, interoperability, and digital health tools
• Community wellness programs and prevention partnerships
• Technology that improves coordination, safety, or data sharing

RHTP funds may support costs associated with project planning, capacity-building activities, and project start-up, but cannot be used for ongoing program support or operating expenses. Each project will need to attest to a sustainability plan beyond the five-year span of RHTP funding.

Federal rules do not allow funds to be used for certain expenses, including but not limited to:

• Services already covered by Medicaid, Medicare, or other payers
• The non-federal share (state match) of Medicaid services
• New direct student loans, or repaying existing student loans
• Major construction projects
• Duplicating/replacing funding for existing programs
• Activities already paid for by another federal grant
• Broadband infrastructure
• Activities not aligned with Alaska’s RHTP initiatives

When it is time for organizations in Alaska to apply, applicants will need to show how their project aligns with RHTP program goals, and explain how their project does not duplicate other funding. More information about allowable and unallowable uses of funds will be shared when CMS awards RHTP grants to states in late 2025.

No, Department of Health (DOH) submitted Alaska’s RHTP application on November 4, 2025 and it is currently under federal review. The RHTP is a cooperative agreement, and CMS may work with DOH to adjust the RHTP goals, initiatives, and potential uses of funding that are outlined in the application posted above.

DOH is the lead agency for Alaska’s RHTP. DOH will work with federal partners at CMS to set program priorities, approve awards, and ensure federal compliance.

DOH will establish a statewide Subrecipient Administrator to help run the application process within the state, provide technical help to applicants, process awards, and support reporting and compliance.

All funding decisions will be made by the DOH Commissioner with support from the RHTP Advisory Council.

Alaska will open its first application cycle in 2026 after federal awards are announced. DOH encourages organizations to prepare now by:

• Reviewing Alaska’s RHTP Project Narrative
• Thinking about projects to propose, including timeframes for projects and plans to sustain projects after RHTP funding ends
• Identifying any partners for your project(s)
• Coordinating with other entities in your region
• Signing up for RHTP updates
• Gathering basic financial and program documentation

More details, timelines, and instructions will be posted on this website as soon as they become available.

Yes. DOH is committed to a transparent, fair, and consistent review process.

Every application will be reviewed for eligibility and completeness, then scored by Alaska’s RHTP Advisory Council. DOH will post the full scoring rubric and review criteria online so applicants know exactly what reviewers are looking for. Final funding award decisions will be made by the DOH Commissioner.

Sign up for Alaska RHTP updates and notifications. Additional guidance, templates, webinars, training opportunities, application dates and instructions, and other information will be posted as soon as it becomes available.

For federal updates, monitor the CMS Rural Health Transformation Program website.