WEEKLY UPDATE: 01/08/26
Connecticut will receive about $154 million in 2026 from the federal Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
The Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) is hiring for three positions responsible for implementing the state’s RHT Plan, in which the state requested a total of nearly $1 billion over five years to execute 31 different initiatives.
The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) wrote the following statement in response to the award announcement:
“CHA is deeply committed to improving the health and well-being of patients in rural Connecticut and ensuring that all patients, regardless of geography, have access to high-quality care when and where they need it. Close collaboration between hospitals, community partners, and state leaders is foundational to achieving the goals outlined in Connecticut’s Rural Health Transformation Plan — including expanding access to behavioral health and preventive care, modernizing data and technology infrastructure, supporting facility right-sizing efforts, and investing in workforce recruitment and retention.
“With Connecticut’s grant award, we believe there is an opportunity for the state to support the implementation of targeted initiatives that both directly invest in rural healthcare providers and the surrounding hospitals and health systems on which patients living in rural areas depend for care.”
The RHT Program’s $50 billion in funds will be allocated to approved states over five years, with $10 billion available each year from 2026 through 2030. Each year, 50% of the funding is distributed equally among all approved states, and 50% is allocated based on a variety of factors, including individual state metrics around rurality and a state’s rural health system, current or proposed state policy actions that enhance access and quality of care in rural communities, and application initiatives or activities that reflect the greatest potential for, and scale of, impact on the health of rural communities.
Related News:
Connecticut Submits Rural Health Transformation Program Application
