Welcome back Readers! We’re excited to share timely updates on key policy developments and highlight insights from conferences our subject matter experts recently attended.
Leading off, we provide insight into the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHT Program) recently released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The RHT Program is a $50 billion initiative established under H.R.1 to support rural health system improvements. The NOFO outlines the application process, eligibility criteria, and evaluation framework for states.
We also share updates about unprecedented uncertainty facing Exchanges and the private insurance markets across the nation.
In our Conference Round-Up, we recap events including the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) Annual Meeting, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Partner Summit, Annual Human Services Financial Officers (HSFO) Conference, National Association for Medicaid Program Integrity (NAMPI) Conference, and the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) Conference – each offering valuable perspectives on behavioral health, Medicaid integrity, financial strategies, and state health policy innovation.
Finally, we’re pleased to feature a white paper from our partner publication, Fire & EMS Blog, offering insights on the effectiveness of Treatment-in-Place and Mobile Integrated Health, focusing on how technological tools and collaborative strategies are shaping more efficient EMS delivery.
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 outlines the application process, eligibility criteria, and evaluation framework for states seeking funding to support rural health system improvements. Applications for the five-year funding period are due by November 5, 2025, with awards expected by December 31, 2025. The guidance includes detailed requirements for project summaries, narratives, budgets, and supporting documentation. Click here to learn more about activities states will need to be prepared to undertake leading up to the application process and throughout post-award implementation.
Uncertainty Looms over the 2026 Plan Year
As carriers, Insurance Departments and Exchanges across the country prepare for the 2026 plan year, there is an unprecedented amount of uncertainty, starting with a dispute over recently regulatory changes. Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized a Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Rule on June 25, 2025, which has since been subject to a legal challenge and stay. As a result of the delayed implementation of changes to AV levels, in particular, QHP carriers across the nation are preparing to refile QHPs that had taken advantage of the expansion of de minimis value ranges in the weeks leading up to Exchange open enrollment. At the same time, there is a renewed effort to continue the expanded APTCs that began under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), were renewed under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), but will expire at the end of the year without further action. For more information on these pending federal policy issues as well as opportunities states are considering, Click here.
2025 Conference Round Up
This year’s conference season brought together leaders and experts from across the health and human services landscape to address emerging challenges, share innovations, and strengthen collaboration. Events included
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- National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) 2026 Annual Meeting, focused on behavioral health system transformation
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- 2025 National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) Partner Summit, which explored federal policy shifts and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in mental health
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- 76th Annual Human Services Financial Officers (HSFO) Conference, highlighting financial strategies for major federal programs
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- National Association for Medicaid Program Integrity (NAMPI) Conference, centered on Medicaid program integrity and compliance
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- National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) 2025 Conference, which emphasized flexibility and creativity in state health policy
Across these gatherings, PCG contributed to discussions, shared expertise, and engaged with stakeholders to support system improvement efforts nationwide. To read the full article, Click here.
Is It Time to Rethink How We Deliver EMS Care?
As communities face evolving challenges in emergency medical care, EMS agencies are adopting innovative approaches to better serve patients where they are. In our final article of this edition, we feature a white paper by Chief Ken Riddle of PCG, exploring the effectiveness of Treatment-in-Place and Mobile Integrated Health. The paper highlights how technology and collaboration are driving more efficient EMS delivery, while also emphasizing the importance of creative funding strategies to sustain these services. To learn how EMS systems are adapting to meet the needs of today’s healthcare landscape, Click here.
To read more, click here. Additionally, to read more articles on these topics, please look towards PCG’s Fire & EMS Blog!
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