Georgia

This document summarizes educational and outreach events including multiple webinars and advisory meetings aimed at supporting rural hospitals in Georgia's GREAT Health Program. The focus includes competitive grant application guidance and training on the AHEAD value-based care model. Event schedule: - First Round of GREAT Health Applications Opened - 05/15/2025 - GREAT Health Advisory Council Meeting - 08/31/2025 - GREAT Health Public Awareness Webinar - 06/11/2025 - DCH LOI Hospital Webinar - 05/01/2025 - GHA AHEAD Model Review Webinar - 01/28/2025 - AHEAD Model Overview Webinar - 01/15/2025

This opportunity from the Georgia Department of Community Health aims to expand and coordinate continuing education access for rural healthcare providers by competitively awarding funds to a qualified organization for the delivery, scheduling, and advertising of at least twelve CE courses yearly. Funding will cover participant registration, course materials, instructor and staff fees, and equipment to overcome barriers faced by rural providers. Applications are due by January 30, 2023, for a four-year cycle. Key contacts: Joanne Mitchell jmitchell@dch.ga.gov Event schedule: - Grant application release date - 11/30/2022 - ET - Deadline for questions - 12/06/2022 - 3:00 PM ET - RFGA.Coordceprgms@dch.ga.gov - Responses to questions posted - 12/09/2022 - ET - www.dch.georgia.gov/grant-announcements - Deadline for submission of grant applications - 01/30/2023 - 3:00 PM ET - RFGA.Coordceprgms@dch.ga.gov

Georgia issued a Notice of Intent to Award grants totaling $900,000 for the Dual Track Rural Hospital Remote Critical Care Services program, benefiting four rural hospitals. This award supports enhancing remote critical care technology and services in rural Georgia. Key contacts: Joanne Mitchell jmitchell@dch.ga.gov Event schedule: - Solicitation Close Date - 06/15/2026 - Notice of Intent to Award Posting Date - 08/25/2026

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

This funding opportunity supports development and expansion of Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs in rural Georgia, targeting high-need specialties and increasing rural workforce capacity. Eligible applicants must be GME training programs serving Georgia's 126 rural/partial rural counties. Up to $3,000,000 is available per award, and funding may be used for planning, development, accreditation, and minor renovations directly related to GME expansion. Key contacts: Patrick Long GBHCW.apps.RHTP@dch.ga.gov Event schedule: - Application Opening - 09/15/2026 - Application Deadline - 10/30/2026

This opportunity funds the development and expansion of graduate medical education programs in rural Georgia, with up to $3 million per award. Eligible applicants are GME programs serving one or more of 126 Georgia rural counties, and must propose workforce development activities for priority specialties. The initiative seeks to improve physician recruitment and retention in rural Georgia. Key contacts: Patrick Long GBHCW.apps.RHTP@dch.ga.gov Event schedule: - Application Opening - 09/15/2026 - Application Closing - 10/30/2026 - Funds Expiration - 09/01/2027

The program includes a $54.9 million Technology Innovation initiative targeting cybersecurity, an investment fund for rural health tech, EMR enhancements, surgical robotics grants, Medicaid eligibility system improvements, consumer engagement expansion, behavioral health IT development, and EMS telehealth integration across 126 rural counties. Key activities involve partnerships with academic institutions, private sector, and state agencies, aiming to improve access, population health data usage, workforce skills, and care coordination.

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

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 program focuses on increasing newborn screening accessibility, improving inter-hospital transportation with specialized ambulances, supporting acquired brain injury survivors with statewide clubhouse expansion, and piloting mental health crisis transportation. Substantial investments are allocated to infrastructure improvements, school-based health care services, emergency preparedness, and nutrition training for providers to holistically address rural health disparities.

This FWD.us report details projected $4.4 billion in lost federal funding for Georgia by 2029 due to cuts in Medicaid, ACA subsidies, and SNAP, alongside rising federal immigration enforcement spending. The state is expected to see 372,000 more uninsured people, the closure of five hospitals or facilities, and a loss of 19,300 healthcare jobs despite offset funds from the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). Voter polling highlighted broad opposition to these spending priorities. The cuts are part of a broader shift in national budget priorities, emphasizing immigration enforcement over social supports.