Louisiana’s Rural Health Transformation Program is currently being implemented through the Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability, focusing on building capacity for rural health providers and modernizing care models. Major efforts target workforce development, value-based care, infrastructure improvements, telehealth, emergency medical services, and health innovation, with coordinated partnerships across providers, agencies, and communities. The program’s structured rollout prioritizes reducing disparities and improving health outcomes in rural areas through strategic investments and collaborative initiatives. Current structured plan tracks 10 key initiatives and 7 strategic goals.
Louisiana's Rural Health Transformation Program is in the implementation phase, with official CMS funding awarded and the state's department launching workforce and provider readiness surveys, a Food as Medicine interest survey, value-based care readiness surveys, and multiple Notice of Funding Opportunities. Webinars and an application process for the RHTP Catalyst Fund are ongoing, and there is concrete evidence of public procurements and funding opportunities issued to local providers. State opportunities: 4 active (3 open, 1 closing soon), $2.6M listed funding. Key opportunities: Rural Health Facilities Capital Improvement Program; Telehealth Infrastructure for Rural Access Program; Rural Clinician Credit Bank: Recruitment & Retention Funding for Rural Louisiana Providers. Strategy alignment: supports care access, telehealth, prevention priorities.
RHTP Strategy
Louisiana's Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) adopts a coordinated, milestone-driven statewide strategy led by the Louisiana Department of Health and the Office of Rural Health Transformation. The approach integrates workforce expansion, technology modernization—including a statewide EHR ecosystem—innovative care delivery models, financial reforms, and community partnership, all guided by formal advisory council oversight. Strategic investments are focused on clinician recruitment and retention, telehealth infrastructure, capital improvements, and value-based payment arrangements, with performance tracking and competitive subgrant cycles structured annually through 2031.
Model
Statewide, milestone-driven, integrated transformation with centralized oversight, leveraging workforce, technology, payment, infrastructure, and population health strategies across sectors.
Key Initiatives
1Rural HERO grants and clinician credit programs to support recruitment and retention
2Statewide single EHR/digital health ecosystem implementation
3Telehealth Infrastructure for Rural Access Program
4Community paramedicine and tele-EMS pilots for remote parishes
5Value-based payment reform, including Medicaid/DSH/ACO pilots
6Rural Health Facilities Capital Improvement Program
7Technology Catalyst Fund (RTCF-LA) for scalable digital health solutions
8Regional health collaboratives and care navigation networks
9Targeted chronic disease, maternal, behavioral health, and cancer prevention programs
10Food FARMacy and nutrition intervention expansion
Timeline: Program duration is 2026–2031, with annual federal reporting, budget periods, and competitive subgrant cycles for key initiatives.
Health Priority
Workforce Expansion: Recruitment and retention of rural clinicians is prioritized through dedicated funding and credit programs. (Regions: All rural Louisiana regions)
Jun 26, 2026
Health Priority
Telehealth Access: Enhancing rural health access via targeted telehealth infrastructure investments is a key strategic priority. (Regions: All rural Louisiana regions)
Jun 26, 2026
Health Priority
Capital Improvements: Improving access, quality, and care coordination through facility upgrades and capital investments supports sustainable service delivery. (Regions: All rural Louisiana regions)
Louisiana Economic Development / Rural Health Transformation Program
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LA - 2026 - Rural Tech Catalyst Fund Launch
Award Announcement Documents (1)
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Award AnnouncementApr 15, 2026PDFPast2025-2030Federal
Louisiana is preparing an application for the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, which allocates approximately $200 million per year over five years to the state for rural health infrastructure, workforce, and access. The strategy focuses on high-morbidity, provider shortage areas and emphasizes innovative care models, strategic partnerships, and improving health outcomes. Rural health priorities include heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and tobacco use, all at higher rates than urban areas.
Award: $200.0MQUALITY_IMPROVEMENT · WORKFORCE · HEALTH_INFORMATION_TECHNOLOGY · POPULATION_HEALTH · OTHER
Event Schedule
Program Webinar - 2025-09-19
Program Webinar - 2025-09-25
Letter of Intent Deadline - 2025-09-30
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Program Webinar - 2025-09-19
Program Webinar - 2025-09-25
Letter of Intent Deadline - 2025-09-30
Application Submission Deadline - 2025-11-05
Expected Award Date - 2025-12-31
Core Initiatives
Transform rural health infrastructure and workforce.
Improve access to care in underserved, high-morbidity, and provider-shortage areas.
Develop innovative care models and foster strategic partnerships.
Louisiana Department of Health issued a NOFO for the Rural Health Facilities Capital Improvement Program, funded under the federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The program supports capital investments for rural healthcare providers to modernize facilities, expand services—including maternal, behavioral health, and specialty care—and improve technology and care coordination. Projects require a 10% matching contribution and must document measurable outcomes aligned with RHTP priorities.
Event schedule:
- Notice of Funding Opportunity Issued - 06/01/2026
- Deadline to Submit Written Questions - 06/08/2026
- Answers to Written Questions Posted - 06/15/2026
- Application Submission Deadline for Year 1 Funds - 07/10/2026
- Application Evaluation Period for Year 1 Funds - 07/10/2026
- Period of Performance - 12/29/2025
This Q&A document provides comprehensive guidance for prospective applicants to the Louisiana Rural Clinician Credit Bank, under the Rural Health Transformation Program. It clarifies allowable and unallowable uses of funds, eligibility rules, service obligations, and detailed budget/match guidance for workforce incentives. The RCCB supports workforce retention and recruitment in rural hospitals and clinics, emphasizing compliance with federal and state requirements.
Event schedule:
- Application Deadline - 06/25/2026 - CT - Louisiana Department of Health application portal
- Rural Clinician Credit Bank Answers to Submitted Questions - 2026-05-29
WORKFORCE · OTHER
Core Initiatives
Increase recruitment and retention of rural clinicians in hard-to-fill and high-turnover positions.
Support rural health workforce stability and provider capacity in underserved Louisiana communities.
Promote compliant, sustainable use of federal incentive funds for rural providers.
This document provides CMS Office of Rural Health Transformation’s official high-level summaries for FY26 proposals from multiple states for the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). It describes major funding requests and strategic initiatives to modernize and sustain rural health systems, focusing on access, maternal/infant health, workforce, technology, and care coordination. State-level award amounts are listed for reference; no specific recipient sub-awards are provided.
Core Initiatives
Make Rural America Healthy Again
Expand access to care
Improve maternal, infant, and chronic disease outcomes
Show all initiatives (30)
Make Rural America Healthy Again
Expand access to care
Improve maternal, infant, and chronic disease outcomes
Build and retain rural health workforce
Adopt innovative technology and models
Advance value-based and coordinated care
Empower rural Mainers to achieve their own healthy living goals through expanded population health solutions
Expand the supply of care by growing a rural workforce and spreading technologies that connect every community to advanced care
Ensure care will be available and affordable long into Maine’s future by pairing affordability measures with strategies that advance quality, efficiency, and fiscal durability such as value-based payments
Transform the rural health workforce in Maryland through new apprenticeships, improved IT, and expansion of Area Health Education Centers and pipeline programs
Promote sustainable access and innovative care through new and expanded capacity for primary care, specialty practices, school-based health centers, and behavioral health expansion
Transform healthcare access and quality in New Mexico's rural areas through specialty care expansion, chronic disease management, workforce pipeline strengthening, and community-centered care
Catalyze innovative care models, transform the rural care experience, and create a sustainable rural healthcare delivery system in North Carolina via provider coordination and underlying systems change
Improve access to care through clinically integrated networks (CINs), community-based clinics in K-12 schools and college campuses, and mobile health care services, rural hospital improvements, and home visits.
Louisiana will receive over $208 million through the Rural Health Transformation Program, one of the highest awards in the nation and top three in the Southeast. The program supports rural health transformation and Medicaid in Louisiana.
Event schedule:
- Starting , 2027, a new federal law requires some adults on Medicaid to report community engagement activities, commonly known as work requirements, to keep their Medicaid coverage. - January 1 - Immediate Emotional Support
- , 2026 - MAY 06 - LDH urges residents to practice safe swimming and water safety
- , 2026 - MAY 04 - Louisiana water system grades show continued improvement in 2025
- , 2026 - APRIL 22 - LDH confirms measles case in Region 1
- , 2026 - APRIL 20 - Governor Landry, LDH Secretary Greenstein encourage residents to seek emotional support after Shreveport shooting
This Louisiana FAQ document provides detailed guidance to prospective applicants for the Rural Health Facilities Capital Improvement Program under RHTP, clarifying eligible applicants, allowable uses of funds, ineligible activities, and documentation for 'rural' determination. Key points include a $10 million per-project budget cap, a required 10% minimum match (cash or in-kind), and eligibility of rural hospitals, clinics, FQHCs, dental practices, EMS, and more. The FAQ emphasizes measurable improvements in rural access, quality, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability.
Event schedule:
- Strategic NOFO Release Deadline - 07/15/2026
- Anticipated Award Notification - 08/20/2026
- Year 1 Project Start (est., upon Cooperative Endeavor Agreement execution) - 09/01/2026
- Year 1 Funds Final Expenditure Deadline - 09/30/2027
Year 1 Project Start (est., upon Cooperative Endeavor Agreement execution) - 09/01/2026
Show all schedule items (4)
Strategic NOFO Release Deadline - 07/15/2026
Anticipated Award Notification - 08/20/2026
Year 1 Project Start (est., upon Cooperative Endeavor Agreement execution) - 09/01/2026
Year 1 Funds Final Expenditure Deadline - 09/30/2027
Core Initiatives
Expand rural healthcare facility capacity and service access
Improve quality, operational efficiency, and sustainability of rural providers
Support infrastructure modernization and measurable improvements in rural health outcomes
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ReferenceNEWJun 26, 2026PDF2026
Event schedule:
- Rural Health Transformation Program Updates , 2026 - June 4 - Stevens Amendment This project supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as...
- Active NOFOs W ORKFORCE MRAHA S USTAINABLE A CCESS Rural Clinician Credit Bank Telehealth Rural Health Infrastructure for Facilities Capital Rural Access Improvement Applications Due: Program , 2026 - June 25 - 1:00 p...
RHTP in Louisiana includes key funding opportunities like the Rural Clinician Credit Bank for workforce expansion, Telehealth Infrastructure for improved access, and Health Facilities Capital Improvement for sustainable, innovative care models. Year 1 funding features extended deadlines in June and July 2026 for written questions and applications. The program aims to integrate community partnerships, boost essential services, and coordinate care across rural regions.
Event schedule:
- Deadline to Submit Written Questions - June 12, 2026 - CT
- Application Submission Deadline for Year 1 Funds (Rural Clinician Credit Bank) - June 25, 2026 - CT
- Application Submission Deadline for Year 1 Funds (Telehealth Infrastructure and Capital Improvement) - July 10, 2026 - CT
Event Schedule
Deadline to Submit Written Questions - June 12, 2026 - CT
Application Submission Deadline for Year 1 Funds (Rural Clinician Credit Bank) - June 25, 2026 - CT
Application Submission Deadline for Year 1 Funds (Telehealth Infrastructure and Capital Improvement) - July 10, 2026 - CT
Core Initiatives
Strengthen health systems through workforce expansion and integration
Expand physical activity and nutrition interventions with community partnerships
Increase access via telehealth infrastructure in rural areas
Show all initiatives (4)
Strengthen health systems through workforce expansion and integration
Expand physical activity and nutrition interventions with community partnerships
Increase access via telehealth infrastructure in rural areas
Sustain innovative care models through capital investments
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OtherMay 16, 2026PDF
Announcement of a Rural Health Transformation Summit in Louisiana to foster innovation, collaboration, and sustainability in rural health. The event includes networking sessions and presentations on funding and strategies to improve rural health outcomes.
Event schedule:
- Rural Health Transformation Summit - 06/11/2026 - Natchitoches Events Center, 750 Second Street, Natchitoches, LA
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OtherApr 15, 2026PDF2025-2031
Louisiana submits a robust Rural Health Transformation Program (LA RHTP) application to CMS to comprehensively transform rural health systems for Louisiana’s 1.1 million rural residents. The strategy centers on workforce expansion, digital modernization (including a statewide shared CMS-certified EHR), innovative payment reform, community collaboration, and targeted population health efforts for chronic disease, maternal health, behavioral, and cancer priorities. The plan details proposed investments of $485M over five years for workforce, technology, care delivery, and financial stabilization.
Spreadsheets, data exports, and reference documents — available for download but excluded from the main activity feed.
LA - 2026 - Labels
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LA - 2026 - Budget Workbook Capital Improvement
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LA - 2026 - Budget Workbook Telehealth Infrastructure
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LA - 2026 - Full Announcement [TelehealthNOFO_FINAL_1June2026.pdf]
LA - 2026 - Full Announcement
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LA - 2026 - RHTP Funding Opportunities
Official LDH RHTP funding opportunities page
This NOFO announces competitive grants to support telehealth infrastructure in rural Louisiana under the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), using CMS cooperative agreement funds. Eligible providers can secure awards of $50,000–$500,000 for network upgrades, telehealth tools, RPM devices, and connected care platforms. Matching support of at least 10% is required, with emphasis on sustainability and measurable rural health improvements.
Event schedule:
- Notice of Funding Opportunity Issued - June 1, 2026
- Deadline to Submit Written Questions - June 8, 2026 - Submit Questions Here
- Answers to Written Questions Posted - June 15, 2026
- Application Submission Deadline for Year 1 Funds - July 10, 2026
- Application Evaluation Period for Year 1 Funds - July 10 - Early August, 2026
- Notice of Intent to Contract Announcements - Late July to Early August, 2026
Budget: $5.0MHEALTH_INFORMATION_TECHNOLOGY · QUALITY_IMPROVEMENT · POPULATION_HEALTH · NETWORK_DEVELOPMENT · OTHER
Core Initiatives
Increase rural access to primary, specialty, behavioral, prenatal, and chronic care services.
Strengthen telehealth capacity and connectivity in rural and underserved parishes.
Support sustainable service and reimbursement models for rural healthcare providers.
Show all initiatives (5)
Increase rural access to primary, specialty, behavioral, prenatal, and chronic care services.
Strengthen telehealth capacity and connectivity in rural and underserved parishes.
Support sustainable service and reimbursement models for rural healthcare providers.
Improve measurable health outcomes for rural and underserved populations.
Enhance care coordination and operational efficiency across rural healthcare facilities.
Improve health outcomes through expansions of behavioral health services.
Improve chronic disease health outcomes such as reduced A1C and increased levels of hypertension management.
Expand technology to build remote monitoring and telehealth, expand electronic medical record (EMR) usage for pharmacists, and pilot innovative screening technologies for chronic management.
Build a future where every community has access to high-quality, locally grounded care connected through technology, supported by regional collaboration and sustained by a strong rural workforce.
Reduce preventable hospitalizations and emergency department visits year over year.
Build a resilient, digitally connected, community-anchored provider network to deliver flexible care across rural regions.
Design data-driven solutions tailored to the unique needs of rural residents.
Advance whole-person health through connected care technologies and coordinated pathways for behavioral health, chronic disease, maternal health, and social needs.
Promote sustainable access by focusing on integration and comprehensive delivery of services leveraging technology and supporting workforce.
Increase healthcare access and quality for improved chronic disease management and health outcomes for rural communities.
Increase healthcare workforce participation and capacity in rural areas.
Make rural populations healthier through nutrition, wellness, workforce development, technology innovation and care coordination.
Promote food as medicine and innovative maternal care to reduce chronic disease and maternal health deserts in rural communities.
Address workforce participation barriers, geographic challenges, and healthcare system sustainability.
Leverage advanced technology including AI and telehealth to improve rural healthcare access and quality.
Support rural clinical workforce and build resilient local delivery system infrastructure.
Event Schedule
Rural Health Transformation Program Updates , 2026 - June 4 - Stevens Amendment This project supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as...
Active NOFOs W ORKFORCE MRAHA S USTAINABLE A CCESS Rural Clinician Credit Bank Telehealth Rural Health Infrastructure for Facilities Capital Rural Access Improvement Applications Due: Program , 2026 - June 25 - 1:00 p...
Louisiana has launched a Rural Tech Catalyst Fund through its Rural Health Transformation Program, positioning the state as a leader in advancing rural health care through public-private partnerships and innovation. The fund will support new health care models, technology deployment, and workforce development, with applications now open. Louisiana is noted as one of only a handful of states to pursue this approach with RHTP funding. Key contacts: Susan B. Bourgeois; Bruce Greenstein
Event schedule:
- RTCF Application Launch - 05/27/2026 - Louisiana
HEALTH_INFORMATION_TECHNOLOGY · WORKFORCE · POPULATION_HEALTH · NETWORK_DEVELOPMENT · OTHER
Contacts
Susan B. Bourgeois - LED Secretary - Statewide
Bruce Greenstein - LDH Secretary - Statewide
Core Initiatives
Strengthen rural health care systems in Louisiana
Expand access to quality care in rural communities
Accelerate deployment of health care technology
Show all initiatives (4)
Strengthen rural health care systems in Louisiana
Expand access to quality care in rural communities
Accelerate deployment of health care technology
Foster collaboration among providers, entrepreneurs, and industry