Rural Hospitals Report Approvals but Scant Cash From RHTP
Nearly a year into the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program created under HR 1, Becker's reports that many rural hospital executives say approved projects still have not received payment. CMS distributes $10 billion annually to all 50 states through 2026-2030, with each state designing its own funding opportunities, producing uneven timelines and modest award sizes. Hospitals in Wisconsin, New Hampshire, Kansas, Washington, Florida and Michigan describe approvals for equipment, infrastructure, planning grants and workforce programs, with some funds not expected to arrive until early 2027. One Michigan hospital CEO noted the program cannot offset Medicaid cuts enacted under the same law, calling it insufficient to keep rural hospitals' doors open.