CMS Released Long Awaited Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Rural Health Transformation Program

    Published by

    Margot Thistle

    on

    CMS Released Long Awaited Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Rural Health Transformation Program

    On September 15, 2025, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHT Program), a $50 billion initiative established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) signed into law on July 4, 2025. The NOFO included significant guidance to states on how, and under what criteria CMS will distribute the $50 billion fund. The application submission deadline is set for November 5, 2025, and the expected award date is December 31, 2025, which is also the earliest start date for funded projects. CMS has indicated in webinars with states that they may engage in conversations during the review period on submission details such as proposed budgets.  

    The NOFO document provides a comprehensive overview of the required formats and narratives for submission. Applicants must include a project summary, project narrative, and budget narrative, each with specific page limits. Additionally, various attachments such as an endorsement from the governor of each applicant state, business assessment, and program funding duplication assessment are required.  

    Scoring criteria for the RHT Program are detailed, with factors divided into initiative-based and policy-based categories. These criteria assess the quality of proposed initiatives and the state’s existing policies. The full details can be found in the NOFO and subsequent FAQ documents located at: https://www.cms.gov/priorities/rural-health-transformation-rht-program/rural-health-transformation-rht-program  

    Following the grant award, states will need to act quickly on a  full range of rural health transformation implementation activities. These include program design and planning, technology enablement, workforce development and training, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, and ongoing technical assistance. 

    PCG subject matter experts are happy to answer any questions states may have on RHTF application requirements as well as implementation. As always, email us at healthpolicynews@pcgus.com. 

     Key Grant Implementation Activities:  


    Leave a Reply

    Margot Thistle, Esq. is a managing editor of Health Policy News who has spent much of her career working directly on Affordable Care Act policy and implementation, including having lead plan management operational and policy planning for Vermont Health Connect, a state-based exchange. During her time at PCG, Ms. Thistle has worked extensively with state insurance departments and state agencies on health policy, market stabilization, and regulatory compliance matters. Ms. Thistle provides broad policy and regulatory support to PCG’s other health care clients across the country, analyzing policy and regulatory developments, providing strategic advice relative to regulatory questions, and drafting policy briefs and position papers. Ms. Thistle still has her admission ticket to the signing of Chapter 58 of the Acts of 2006, the historical Massachusetts health reform bill that preceded the ACA.
    Previous Post
    Next Post

    Recent posts

    PCG helps state and local health agencies achieve their performance goals. Our seasoned professionals and proven solutions help agencies to increase program revenue, cut costs, and improve compliance with state and federal regulations. From behavioral health cost reporting to public hospital rate setting, PCG offers an array of consulting services for state and local health agencies operate more efficiently and improve service to the populations they serve.

    About

    Founded in 1986 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, PCG helps public sector health, education, and human services organizations make measurable improvements to their performance and processes.

    PCG’s Health Policy News Blog is written by some of PCG’s most knowledgeable and experienced health policy subject matter experts. With this blog, they aim to distill the latest federal and state health policy news into relevant and digestible reading.

    Topics

    Corporate Headquarters

    148 State Street
    10th Floor
    Boston, Massachusetts 02109-2589

    Designed with WordPress

    Discover more from

    Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

    Continue reading