The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Oct. 9 released the first report (PDF) on Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) spending for 2026. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act authorized the creation of the RHTP, which provides $50 billion in funds to increase access to care for rural Americans. The CMS awarded funds to all 50 states, distributed over a five-year period; first year awards to states were based on an application process and ranged between $281 million and $147 million. The report highlights that some states have been able to get the program up and funded quickly, with most of the funds distributed, while other states have only spent a fraction of the provided funding. The legislation requires states to spend funds within two years of award, with report capturing state spending from Dec. 29, 2025, to July 31, 2026. The CMS has announced plans to update the state spending report to quarterly moving forward.
- Washington Highlights