Georgia

Georgia's Department of Community Health has launched the first round of competitive GREAT Health program applications beginning May 15, 2026. The state hosted multiple webinars, including outreach on the AHEAD value-based care model and funding details targeted to LOI hospitals, to prepare rural providers for participation. Event schedule: - First Round of GREAT Health Applications Open - May 15, 2026 - Georgia Department of Community Health portal - GREAT Health Advisory Council Meeting - 08/31/2026 - Webinar recording available - GREAT Health Public Awareness Webinar - 06/11/2026 - Webinar recording available - DCH LOI Hospital Webinar - 05/01/2026 - Webinar recording available - GHA AHEAD Model Review Webinar - 01/28/2026 - Webinar recording available - AHEAD Model Webinar - 01/15/2026 - Webinar recording available

Georgia's DCH launched the GREAT Health initiative via RHTP, awarding $218.6M in federal funds in Year 1 to strengthen rural hospitals, expand mobile clinics, and improve healthcare access. Grants management and budgeting have been centralized, and multiple teams and vendors are supporting technical assistance, evaluation, and project implementation. Ongoing priorities include planning for Year 2 continuation, improving grant processes, and launching assessment follow-up with rural hospitals across 126 counties. Key contacts: Phillip Williams; Dawn Waldrip; Denys Fluitt; Stacy Cooper Event schedule: - Annual Report Due - 08/31/2025 - ET - Non-Competing Continuation Application Due - 08/31/2026 - ET - CMS Year 2 Awards to States - October 2026 - ET - Budget Period 2 Start - 10/31/2026 - ET - Assessment Follow Up Meetings Start - December 2026 - ET

Georgia awarded a total of $22 million in federal funds to 11 rural hospitals and health centers to support workforce retention initiatives using surgical robot technology. The awards represent a strategic investment toward leveraging technology to retain healthcare professionals in rural areas. Key contacts: Patrick Long Patrick.Long@dch.ga.gov Event schedule: - Solicitation Close Date - 06/15/2026 - Notice of Intent to Award Posting Date - 07/31/2026

Georgia’s GREAT Health Initiative 3 aims to connect rural hospitals and health providers through statewide telehealth enhancements using a three-hub networked model. The program will modernize digital infrastructure, expand specialty and behavioral health access, and build workforce capacity to improve care for rural populations. Specific outcome goals target maternal health, reduced ED utilization, and increased preventive care integration. Event schedule: - Implementation Start - Governance and Collaboration - 01/01/2026 - Georgia - Public release/application snapshot - April 22, 2026 - GREATHealth.georgia.gov

This RHTP funding opportunity provides $10,000,000 for telehealth enhancements in rural Georgia. Priority will be given to hospitals that previously participated in AHEAD model pre-implementation. The program seeks to expand access, build collaboration, and improve sustainability in rural healthcare networks. Key contacts: GREATgrant@rsmus.com Event schedule: - Application Opening - June 15, 2026 - GREAT Health Application Portal - Application Closing - July 15, 2026 - GREAT Health Application Portal

Event schedule: - GREAT Health Funding Opportunity Announcement The information provided below is intended to assist eligible applicants with developing and submitting applications within the GREAT Health Application Portal. This funding opportunity is for Budget Period 1 of the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, which runs from the date of award through , 2026. All funds awarded from this announcement must be spent by September 30, 2027. For assistance with this application, please contact GREATgrant@rsmus.com with questions. Funding Initiative 5: Leveraging Technology in Support of Healthcare Opportunity: Innovations in Rural Georgia Strategy: Workforce Retention Technology Application Portal Round: 4 Tier: 2 Information Opening: June 15, 2026 Closing: July 15, 2026 Funding Amount and $2,000,000 per award At least 1 award available Number of Awards: Funding This funding opportunity is available to rural hospitals in Eligibility: Georgia serving the 126 rural/partial rural counties defined as the eligible rural area under the GREAT Health Program in the Georgia Department of Community Health’s application to CMS. Hospitals previously submitting a signed Letter of Intent for Achieving Healthcare Efficiency through Accountable Design (AHEAD) model pre-implementation to the Georgia Department of Community Health will receive priority in the application process. Only hospitals with technology-ready facility space will be considered eligible for funding. Description and The Workforce Retention Technology Grant is designed to Purpose of Funding: strengthen rural surgical workforce recruitment and retention This Funding Opportunity Announcement solicits applications for a Grant award pursuant to the GREAT Health Program and Notice of Award for such program issued to DCH by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Grantee shall comply with all applicable law, regulations and policies pertaining to the Grant award, deliverables pursuant to the Grant award, and Grantee’s responsibilities thereto. Additionally, Grantees will be required to execute the GREAT Health Grant Award Terms and Conditions and abide by the provisions of the GREAT Health Program’s Policies and Procedures Manual. This funding opportunity is intended to guide prospective applicants seeking funding through GREAT Health. This document is not exhaustive, binding, or final. The requirements set forth herein override all other guidance documents specifically related to this program. DCH reserves the right to fund all, part, or none of the submitted applications. - October 30 - h. Support secure network connectivity for software updates and technical support i. Meet applicable cybersecurity and data protection requirements j. Include a manufacturer warranty k. Include a maintenance and service plan covering at least the initial period of funding l. Be readily available for use with secured human capital that does not need to travel into the community on a preset schedule to operate Applicants must meet the following specifications related to the operating environment: a. Maintain a CMS and Joint Commission or Det Norke Vertias-accredited operating room for procedures using the proposed robotic surgery equipment b. The operating room must have the necessary electrical infrastructure c. Environmental conditions meet manufacturer requirements Applicants must: a. Show evidence of clinical need for a surgical robot; ie. a minimum annual surgical volume for financial viability and readiness (expected volume of at least 3-5 cases/week, ~120/year), historical referrals out of the community, pro forma analysis of patient demand in the region, referral pattern analysis and projection, procedure billing and coding analysis and projection, etc. b. Have at minimum one employed or contracted surgeon on site that either (1) is currently trained and certified on the proposed equipment or (2) is committed to pursuing training and certification within the period of funding and is in good standing with the Georgia Composite Medical Board This Funding Opportunity Announcement solicits applications for a Grant award pursuant to the GREAT Health Program and Notice of Award for such program issued to DCH by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Grantee shall comply with all applicable federal law, regulations and policies pertaining to the Grant award. Additionally, Grantees will be required to execute the GREAT Health Grant Award Terms and Conditions and abide by the provisions of the GREAT Health Program’s Policies and Procedures Manual. This funding opportunity is intended to guide prospective applicants seeking funding through GREAT Health. This document is not exhaustive, binding, or final. The requirements set forth herein override all other guidance documents specifically related to this program. DCH reserves the right to fund all, part, or none of the submitted applications. - by supporting the acquisition and implementation of robotic surgical technology in rural hospitals. This technology will expand local access to care and reduce travel barriers for patients in rural communities and is intended to support current and future rural Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs. This grant will award $2,000,000 to invest in and implement robotics surgical equipment to retain and recruit surgical talent, including current and future residents and fellows. All funds must be fully expended by , 2027. Additional Information Funding is approved for Year 1 GREAT Health funding. and Guidance for Applicants are required to follow application instructions Application within the application portal and address requirements listed Development: within this funding opportunity. Applicants must identify a vendor prior to the budget approval for the disbursement of funds. The robotic surgery equipment must meet the following specifications: a. Be approved by the appropriate federal regulatory authority for clinical use in the United States b. Support multiple surgical specialties or procedures consistent with organization’s service line strategy c. Provide surgeon-controlled robotic instrumentation d. Include visualization and image capturing capabilities e. Supports recording and data collection capabilities f. Include a manufacturer-supported training and onboarding program for surgery personnel g. Be compatible with existing operating room infrastructure or require only minimal and minor upgrades as part of the technology implementation plan This Funding Opportunity Announcement solicits applications for a Grant award pursuant to the GREAT Health Program and Notice of Award for such program issued to DCH by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Grantee shall comply with all applicable federal law, regulations and policies pertaining to the Grant award. Additionally, Grantees will be required to execute the GREAT Health Grant Award Terms and Conditions and abide by the provisions of the GREAT Health Program’s Policies and Procedures Manual. This funding opportunity is intended to guide prospective applicants seeking funding through GREAT Health. This document is not exhaustive, binding, or final. The requirements set forth herein override all other guidance documents specifically related to this program. DCH reserves the right to fund all, part, or none of the submitted applications. - September 30 - h. Support secure network connectivity for software updates and technical support i. Meet applicable cybersecurity and data protection requirements j. Include a manufacturer warranty k. Include a maintenance and service plan covering at least the initial period of funding l. Be readily available for use with secured human capital that does not need to travel into the community on a preset schedule to operate Applicants must meet the following specifications related to the operating environment: a. Maintain a CMS and Joint Commission or Det Norke Vertias-accredited operating room for procedures using the proposed robotic surgery equipment b. The operating room must have the necessary electrical infrastructure c. Environmental conditions meet manufacturer requirements Applicants must: a. Show evidence of clinical need for a surgical robot; ie. a minimum annual surgical volume for financial viability and readiness (expected volume of at least 3-5 cases/week, ~120/year), historical referrals out of the community, pro forma analysis of patient demand in the region, referral pattern analysis and projection, procedure billing and coding analysis and projection, etc. b. Have at minimum one employed or contracted surgeon on site that either (1) is currently trained and certified on the proposed equipment or (2) is committed to pursuing training and certification within the period of funding and is in good standing with the Georgia Composite Medical Board This Funding Opportunity Announcement solicits applications for a Grant award pursuant to the GREAT Health Program and Notice of Award for such program issued to DCH by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Grantee shall comply with all applicable federal law, regulations and policies pertaining to the Grant award. Additionally, Grantees will be required to execute the GREAT Health Grant Award Terms and Conditions and abide by the provisions of the GREAT Health Program’s Policies and Procedures Manual. This funding opportunity is intended to guide prospective applicants seeking funding through GREAT Health. This document is not exhaustive, binding, or final. The requirements set forth herein override all other guidance documents specifically related to this program. DCH reserves the right to fund all, part, or none of the submitted applications.

Georgia is launching a multi-year statewide initiative to assess and improve the resilience of 267 rural hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and inpatient hospice facilities. The program focuses on enhancing infrastructure so facilities can safely shelter-in-place and serve as regional receiving centers during disasters. Assessment results will directly inform Georgia’s disaster response plans and support facility applications for infrastructure grants. Event schedule: - Step 1: Project initiation - 06/01/2026 - Step 2: Facility pre-visit questionnaire - 07/01/2026 - Step 3: In-person site assessments - 09/01/2026 - Step 4: Grant funding and improvements - 01/01/2030 - Final assessment & routine checks - 07/01/2030

Georgia’s GREAT Health Program received $218.9 million in Year 1 federal Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program funding to strengthen rural health systems through five major strategic initiatives. Activities span provider readiness for value-based models, behavioral health improvements, access expansion, workforce pipeline development, and health technology upgrades. The program covers 126 rural and partially rural counties and incorporates extensive partnerships and stakeholder engagement. Key contacts: GREAT Health Program Contact greathealth@dch.ga.gov Event schedule: - Phase 1 Funding Opportunity Release - 03/24/2026 - greathealth.georgia.gov - Phase 1 Deadline - 04/15/2026 - greathealth.georgia.gov - Phase 2 Funding Opportunity Release - 04/15/2026 - greathealth.georgia.gov - Phase 2 Deadline - 05/15/2026 - greathealth.georgia.gov - Phase 3 Funding Opportunity Release (Competitive) - 05/15/2026 - greathealth.georgia.gov - Phase 3 Deadline - 06/15/2026 - greathealth.georgia.gov - Phase 4 Funding Opportunity Release (Competitive) - 06/15/2026 - greathealth.georgia.gov - Phase 4 Deadline - 07/15/2026 - greathealth.georgia.gov

The report provides an overview of the AHEAD Model, a CMS-CMMI initiative to enroll states and hospitals in global budget models for Medicare and Medicaid, with the aim of improving population health and financial sustainability. Georgia is identified as a potential participant, while Maryland has begun participation in 2026. The report analyzes hospital global budget experiences in Maryland and Pennsylvania, detailing lessons learned and requirements for successful implementation. Key contacts: Patrick Dooley pdooley@thinkbrg.com Event schedule: - AHEAD Model Cohort 2 and 3 Start - 01/01/2028 - Anticipated Additional NOFO Release - August or September 2026

The Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce administers service-cancelable loan repayment programs for various health professionals committing to full-time service in approved counties. It also offers Nursing Schools Grants of up to $500,000 to expand enrollment capacity, and Graduate Medical Education Expansion Grants of $75,000 to three GME programs to increase training opportunities statewide. Event schedule: - Loan Repayment Program Application Cycle - September 1, 2026 - Nursing Schools Grants Application Cycle - September 1, 2026 - Graduate Medical Education Expansion Grants Application Cycle - September 1, 2026