Connecticut

Connecticut's Rural Health Transformation Program received a $50 million investment announced by Governor Lamont to strengthen rural health care infrastructure. This funding aims to enhance rural hospital capacity and Medicaid transformation in the state.

Connecticut was awarded $154.2 million for year one and an estimated total of $771 million over five years under the RHT Program to enhance rural health access through workforce development, care coordination, and technology modernization. Legislative proposal Senate Bill 93 outlines state policies to support these goals.

Connecticut's Department of Social Services (DSS) is launching a PACE pilot in Northwest Hills as part of its multi-pronged Rural Health Transformation Program, with a final report and stakeholder engagement preceding an RFP for a PACE Organization. The initiative aims to expand aging-in-place options, reduce hospital and nursing home utilization, and improve population health in rural areas. Application and implementation milestones extend from 2026 through prospective enrollment in 2028. Key contacts: Carrie Amero carrie.amero@ct.gov Event schedule: - Public Informational Webinar - 07/21/2026

Connecticut’s Rural Health Transformation Program aims to address healthcare delivery gaps through technology-driven models, performance-based payments, and targeted investments in workforce and telehealth capacity. The plan responds to documented shortages of primary care, behavioral health, and specialty providers in rural regions, where residents face higher rates of chronic disease, limited transportation, and significant financial strain. By 2031, Connecticut intends to reshape the rural health landscape with integrated care and sustainable facility access points for rural communities. Event schedule: - Updated Project Narrative Date - 2026-03-16 - Connecticut - Spring 2026 Legislative Session - 2026-03-01 - Connecticut - FFY 2031 Performance Target Deadline - 2031-09-30 - Connecticut - Completion of required policy and regulatory actions - 2027-12-31 - Connecticut - Finalization of technical updates for implementation - 2028-12-31 - Connecticut

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Connecticut's Rural Health Transformation Program includes 25+ initiatives targeting aging, behavioral health, technology access, care coordination, and rural workforce infrastructure. Projects include crisis stabilization, digital equity, provider incentives, school-based supports, hospital transformation, shared HIT infrastructure, and coordinated population health outreach in partnership with CT Tribal Nations. The program utilizes both new models (e.g., AI-powered care) and scaling of proven pilots, prioritizing sustainable, scalable transformation.

Connecticut's RHTP funds a $154.2 million statewide rural transformation initiative across aging, behavioral health, IT modernization, hospital transformation, and workforce. Major investments include PACE expansion, hospital right-sizing, HIE, crisis stabilization, rural care pilots, and health workforce. Direct recipient/contractor awards include named health systems, tech, behavioral health, and education entities under competitive or designated assignments.

Connecticut's total RHTP allocation exceeds $154 million for FY 2026-2027, with funds supporting a diverse portfolio: rural hospital transformation and infrastructure, mobile health pilots, mental health expansions, workforce incentives, universal nurse visits, and major investment in health information technology and data analytics. The state's plan emphasizes direct investments to critical access points such as rural hospitals, primary and maternal health, behavioral healthcare, and telehealth capability, along with concerted workforce training, engagement in value-based payment, and addressing the digital divide through modern IT infrastructure. Oversight by DSS is supported by OHS and DMHAS as key state partners. Key contacts: Mehul Dalal Event schedule: - Budget Period 1: Performance Start - 12/29/2025 - Budget Period 1: Performance End - 10/30/2026 - Permissible Spending End - 09/30/2027 - Connecticut Department of Social Services - RHT Budget Narrative Updated - 2026-04-07 - Connecticut

CT DSS is piloting a bundled maternity payment model for Medicaid births, with health equity as a central focus. The bundle will include doulas, payment parity for Certified Nurse Midwives, and strive for improved maternal health outcomes tracked by race and ethnicity. The strategy aims to remedy disparities and incentivize value-based care.

Connecticut received a $154 million federal grant for the first year of RHTP, potentially totaling $750 million over five years. The Department of Social Services leads the program in partnership with multiple state agencies, with ongoing public engagement and stakeholder involvement throughout implementation. Event schedule: - RHTP State Application Submission - November 4, 2025

Reference: Governor Lamont Announces Rural Health Transformation Program Invests 50 Million Link: https://portal.ct.gov/governor/news/press-releases/2026/09-2026/governor-lamont-announces-rural-health-transformation-program-invests-50-million

Reference: Article 1333e126 C418 4bae B19a 91f70ca147b2 Link: https://www.thechronicle.com/news/air-line-state-park-trail-receives-7-million/article_1333e126-c418-4bae-b19a-91f70ca147b2.html

Connecticut's RHTP funds a comprehensive statewide transformation—including rural hospital stabilization, mobile health pilots, technology modernization, crisis stabilization units, and rural workforce expansion. Programs target care delivery, technology upgrades, integration of behavioral/physical health, value-based payments, and direct support to rural providers, EMS, and critical access hospitals. The program emphasizes cross-agency collaboration and robust oversight with substantial investment in direct provider, IT, and workforce capacity.