Solutionz Blog

Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program: Secure Federal Funding

Written by Molly Malone | Feb 17, 2026 8:58:38 PM

At a Glance

Discover how the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program funds telemedicine, cybersecurity, workforce development and integrated care—and how Solutionz supports rural providers.

Early Planning Makes the Difference

The Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program, launched by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), represents one of the largest federal investments ever made in rural healthcare infrastructure, technology, cybersecurity, and workforce sustainability.

Over the next five years, the program will deliver approximately $50 billion nationwide, with each state receiving an average of $200 million per year to modernize rural health systems, expand access to care, and build durable healthcare workforce pipelines.

Unlike traditional grants, the RHT Program is a state-administered federal funding model, giving states flexibility to invest in proven, scalable solutions that improve rural health outcomes, strengthen recruitment and retention, and support long-term system sustainability.

For rural hospitals, health systems, clinics, and community providers, this creates a powerful opportunity—if prepared.

What Is the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program?

The RHT Program is a CMS initiative designed to improve health outcomes and access to care in rural communities by funding:

  • Expanded healthcare services
  • Technology modernization
  • Cybersecurity improvements
  • Workforce enablement, recruitment, retention, and career pipeline development
  • Care coordination

Funds flow from the federal government to each state, and states then allocate funding to local healthcare entities through approved programs and initiatives.

Key distinction:
The RHT Program is not a competitive grant. Instead, it is a multi-year funding stream awarded through state-led transformation plans that often prioritize healthcare workforce shortages and rural talent pipelines.

How Much Funding Is Available Through the RHT Program?

  • $50 billion total (2026–2030)
  • $10 billion per year nationally
  • ~$200 million per state, per year (on average)

States must invest in at least three eligible activity areas, many of which align directly with healthcare technology, infrastructure modernization, and workforce development initiatives.

CMS encourages states to prioritize RHT investments that address rural healthcare workforce shortages, including recruitment, education, training, and long-term retention strategies supported by technology.

RHT Program Priority Areas Relevant to Rural Providers

CMS has identified several eligible funding categories. Among the most impactful for rural healthcare organizations are:

1. Telemedicine and Virtual Care Technology

RHT funding supports the expansion of telehealth, remote care, and digital health services, helping rural providers:

  • Increase access to specialty and primary care
  • Reduce patient travel and wait times
  • Improve continuity of care
  • Expand service reach without expanding physical facilities
  • Extend the capacity of limited clinical staff and support hybrid care models that improve provider retention

2. Healthcare Cybersecurity and IT Infrastructure

As digital care expands, cybersecurity is a required foundation—not an afterthought.

RHT funding may be used for:

  • Cybersecurity software and hardware
  • Network security upgrades
  • Risk assessments and compliance alignment
  • Ongoing technical and operational support
  • Secure learning, training, and workforce collaboration environments

3. Care Coordination and Integrated Care Models

RHT emphasizes long-term sustainability, including better coordination across care settings and care teams.

Eligible solutions include:

  • Integrated communication platforms
  • Secure data sharing and collaboration tools
  • Technology that supports chronic care management and population health
  • Tools that enable clinical training, mentorship, and interdisciplinary workforce collaboration

4. Workforce Development and Career Pipeline Enablement

RHT funding can support strategies that address rural healthcare workforce shortages by strengthening the full talent pipeline, including:

  • High school and career-tech exposure programs
  • Postsecondary and community college training pathways
  • Clinical education partnerships with universities and advanced degree programs
  • Virtual training, simulation, and tele-preceptorship models
  • Retention-focused technologies that reduce burnout and improve work-life balance

These initiatives help rural providers recruit, train, and retain healthcare professionals while building sustainable, community-based talent pipelines.

Why Rural Healthcare Organizations Need a Technology Partner

While states control the funding, local providers must clearly define how technology investments support state goals. This requires:

  • Selecting proven, interoperable solutions
  • Demonstrating scalability beyond the five-year funding window
  • Addressing security, compliance, and operational support
  • Aligning technology decisions with clinical outcomes
  • Connecting technology investments to workforce sustainability and pipeline development

This is where many organizations struggle—and where Solutionz provides critical value.

How Solutionz Supports RHT-Funded Initiatives

Solutionz helps rural healthcare organizations successfully plan, request, and deploy technology aligned with RHT Program priorities.

Telemedicine Enablement

Solutionz designs and implements secure, enterprise-grade telemedicine environments that support:

  • Virtual visits and specialty consultations
  • Provider collaboration and remote workflows
  • Patient engagement and experience
  • Remote supervision, clinical education, and workforce training programs

Solutions are deployment-ready, scalable, and aligned with state funding expectations.

Cybersecurity for Rural Healthcare

Through Solutionz Security, we provide layered, healthcare-focused cybersecurity solutions that:

  • Protect users, devices, and networks
  • Reduce operational and financial risk
  • Support compliance requirements
  • Scale as services expand
  • Secure digital learning platforms and workforce collaboration tools

Care Coordination and Communication Technology

Solutionz enables integrated care environments by connecting clinical teams, systems, and locations through secure, reliable communications technology, supporting:

  • Better patient outcomes
  • Reduced care fragmentation
  • Long-term operational efficiency
  • Improved clinician experience and workforce retention

Supporting Rural Providers Through State RHT Funding Requests

Solutionz works alongside rural healthcare organizations to:

Identify fundable technology and workforce priorities
Align projects with state RHT objectives
Support solution design and documentation
Integrate workforce development and pipeline strategies
Deliver implementation and long-term support

We help ensure your organization is ready when states open funding requests.

Takeaway: RHT Funding Is a Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity

The Rural Health Transformation Program is reshaping how rural healthcare is funded, delivered, and sustained.

Organizations that act early, with the right technology partner, will be best positioned to:

  • Secure funding
  • Modernize care delivery
  • Strengthen cybersecurity
  • Build and retain a resilient rural healthcare workforce
  • Improve patient access and outcomes

Solutionz, Inc. is ready to help rural healthcare organizations turn RHT funding into lasting transformation. Click here to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program?

The Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program is a CMS initiative that provides federal funding to states to improve healthcare access, technology, cybersecurity, training, and care coordination in rural communities over a five-year period.

Is the Rural Health Transformation Program a grant?

No. The RHT Program is not a traditional grant. It is a state-administered federal funding stream, allowing states to invest in approved healthcare transformation initiatives aligned with CMS priorities. However, a state may release Request for Proposals (RFPs) or other invitations to apply to receive funds.

How much funding does each state receive through the RHT Program?

Each state will receive an average of approximately $200 million per year from 2026 to 2030, depending on population and CMS allocation formulas. Specific state funding can be found here. https://www.cms.gov/files/document/rural-health-transformation-50-state-spotlights.pdf

What types of projects are eligible for RHT funding?

Eligible projects commonly include:

  • Telemedicine and virtual care technology
  • Healthcare cybersecurity improvements
  • Care coordination and integrated care systems
  • Health IT infrastructure and communications technology
  • Workforce development, training, and recruiting

Can rural hospitals and clinics receive RHT funding?

Yes. Rural hospitals, health systems, clinics, and community health centers providers can receive RHT funding when they participate in or request support through state-led RHT initiatives.

Does RHT funding cover technology and cybersecurity?

Yes. CMS explicitly allows RHT funds to be used for technology, software, hardware, cybersecurity solutions, and technical assistance that support rural healthcare services.

How does the RHT Program support healthcare workforce development?
RHT funding supports workforce development by enabling telemedicine, virtual training, secure collaboration tools, and education partnerships that help rural providers recruit, train, and retain healthcare workers from high school through advanced clinical degrees.

How does telemedicine fit into the RHT Program?

Telemedicine is a key priority of the RHT Program, as it:

  • Expands access to care in rural areas
  • Reduces patient travel
  • Improves continuity of care
  • Supports workforce shortages

How can an AV integrator help with RHT-funded initiatives?

Solutionz helps rural healthcare organizations:

  • Identify fundable technology priorities
  • Align solutions with state RHT objectives
  • Design secure telemedicine and care coordination systems
  • Implement scalable cybersecurity solutions

Who can help with RHT funding requests?

Solutionz Grant Program Services support organizations by preparing technology strategies and documentation that align with state RHT requirements, helping providers be ready when funding opportunities open.