Act Now to Ensure that RHCs are Not Left Out of the Rural Health Transformation Program

Mo Sullivan, Government Affairs Associate, NARHC

While Congress has just injected $50 billion into rural healthcare, no one is exactly sure how this money will actually be spent over the next five years.

The legislative text of H.R.1 created the “Rural Health Transformation Program,” but it is quite open-ended and as such, almost every entity in healthcare is interested in receiving this funding to help be part of the ‘transformation.’

As the dominant outpatient provider in rural, medically underserved communities, serving over 39 million Americans annually, we believe that Rural Health Clinics are one of the best-positioned facility types to transform rural healthcare.

However, the distribution of funds is ultimately left to the discretion of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator, Dr. Oz, and each state. As a result, funding could be directed to other healthcare facilities beyond rural hospitals and RHCs, including urban providers, or used in statewide ‘transformation’ efforts in which no facility may see direct dollars from the fund.

Dr. Oz has indicated that state applications will be released in early September. That means now is the time for RHCs to engage with their state officials and ensure your facilities are included in those transformation plans. Please click here to send a message to your state Governors and remind them of the critical role RHCs play in providing care to rural communities.

Lastly, stay alert for any Requests for Information (RFIs) your state may issue related to RHTP funding ideas. These are key opportunities to make our voices heard!

For additional information click here.

With any questions, contact Mo at Mo.Sullivan@narhc.org.

Thank you in advance for your advocacy!

Sincerely,
National Association of Rural Health Clinics