HHS Region 7 · Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services
Program Overview
RHTP opportunities include multiple focused initiatives such as critical access hospital to rural emergency hospital conversion, virtual reality training networks, food as medicine, and school kitchen modernization. Many RHTP initiatives are available through competitive and targeted Requests for Applications, with eligibility for local and tribal health departments, CAHs, REHs, regional rural hospitals, and FQHCs. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) administers the grants and provides centralized support and contact. Current structured plan tracks 9 key initiatives and 7 strategic goals.
Updated
County-level estimates averaged across Nebraska — % of adults 18+ unless noted. Delta vs US county average shown in red/green.
pp = percentage points vs US county average
County Drilldown (93)
| County | Pop | Poverty | Uninsured |
|---|---|---|---|
| Douglas County | 590,736 | 11.8% | 7.7% |
| Lancaster County | 326,696 | 11.9% | 6.9% |
| Sarpy County | 197,389 | 5.6% | 4.0% |
| Hall County | 62,536 | 14.1% | 12.1% |
| Buffalo County | 50,579 | 9.9% | 5.3% |
| Dodge County | 37,351 | 11.0% | 7.9% |
| Scotts Bluff County | 35,843 | 12.9% | 8.9% |
| Madison County | 35,532 | 13.1% | 7.7% |
| Platte County | 34,716 | 9.8% | 8.1% |
| Lincoln County | 33,802 | 12.4% | 7.0% |
| Adams County | 31,052 | 12.7% | 8.5% |
| Cass County | 27,161 | 5.2% | 3.1% |
AI source: NE - 2026 - RHT
AI auto-updated Jun 13, 2026
API refreshed May 7, 2026
Federal RHTP award total (state override)
Detailed federal award opportunity rows are not linked yet for this state, but an approved federal award total is set.
677,796 rural residents
Nebraska received a $218.5 million federal award for the first year of its Rural Health Transformation Program, with official CMS approval as of February 27, 2026. Seven statewide initiatives are being launched, and multiple RFAs are scheduled to open starting March, with funding awards anticipated to begin in Spring 2026. The state is preparing subsequent application cycles over the five-year program. Public releases and stakeholder engagement have taken place, but the main state-level procurements have not yet opened. State opportunities: 4 active (4 open, 7 past/closed), $9.0M listed funding. Key opportunities: Nebraska RHTP Initiative 5.3: Modification of Existing Clinical Facilities for Mental Health Crisis; Rural Virtual Reality and Skills Acceleration Network; Nebraska RHTP Initiative 1.3: Farm-to-School Procurement and Policy Technical Assistance Grant. Strategy alignment: supports workforce, ems, care access priorities.
Nebraska’s RHTP strategy implements seven integrated, statewide initiatives through rolling competitive RFAs over five years, emphasizing regionalized networks, workforce acceleration, technology-enabled care, and food as medicine infrastructure. The program leverages community partnerships to modernize infrastructure, address rural health disparities and care deserts, and provide targeted support for behavioral health, assisted living, and digital access.
Model
Statewide prevention-first, technology-enabled rural health system leveraging coordinated, regionalized initiatives spanning infrastructure, access, workforce, and innovation.
Key Initiatives
Timeline: Five-year RHTP grant period beginning FY2026, with rolling requests for applications (RFAs) starting in March 2026 and funding awards opening Spring 2026.
Hospital modernizations and conversions: Funding designated for rural hospitals to modernize and transition to new models, such as conversion from Critical Access Hospital to Rural Emergency Hospital. Seeks to ensure continued access to essential health services.
Chronic disease and nutrition: Targeted RFAs address education and navigation around chronic diseases and support nutrition improvements in schools and rural communities. Initiatives seek to equitably improve outcomes through both treatment and prevention.
Rural workforce development: Ongoing programs incentivize training, retention, and innovative staffing models for health professionals in underserved areas. Focus on sustainability by engaging community and educational partners.
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health
Due Jul 24, 2026
1 related document
NE - 2026 - Request for Applications [RHTP_Initiative_3.2_RFA.pdf]
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Economic Assistance
Due Jun 1, 2026
15 related documents
NE - 2026 - Request for Applications [RHTP-3.3_SNAP_ET_RFA.pdf]
Primary source
NE - 2026 - DHHS Releases RFAs for RHTP Funding Opportunities
Auto-linked by identifier
NE - 2026 - RHTP Inititative 3.3 Question and Answer Session Details (Updated)
Auto-linked by identifier
NE - 2026 - Intent to Award 05/14/2026
Auto-linked by context
NE - 2026 - Intent to Award 04/15/2026
Auto-linked by context
NE - 2026 - RHTP Initiative 3.3 FAQ
Auto-linked by context
NE - 2026 - DHHS to Open RHTP Application to Help Build Rural Nebraska Workforce
Auto-linked by context
NE - 2026 - Grant Funding Opportunities
Auto-linked by context
NE - 2026 - Health Care Advisory Regions
Auto-linked by context
NE - 2025 - Assisted Living Facility (ALF) Special Needs Incentive Payment Program
Auto-linked by context
NE - 2026 - CMS RHTP 50-State Spotlight (FY2026) — Nebraska
Auto-linked by context
NE - 2026 - View an accessible PDF.
Auto-linked by context
NE - 2026 - Nebraska RHT CMS Priorities Strategy
Auto-linked by context
NE - 2026 - RHT
Auto-linked by context
NE - 2026 - Form 3 - Applicant's Work Plan
Auto-linked process guidance fallback (8%)
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
Due Apr 22, 2026
15 related documents
NE - 2026 - Request for Applications [RHTP_Initiative_1.2_RFA.pdf]
Primary source
NE - 2026 - Grant Funding Opportunities
Auto-linked by identifier
NE - 2026 - RHTP Initiative 1.2 Question and Answer Session Details
Auto-linked by identifier
NE - 2026 - Request for Applications [RHTP-4.4A-Chronic-Disease-Management-Navigation-and-Education-Initiative.pdf]
Auto-linked by context
NE - 2026 - Request for Applications [RHTP-1.5B_RFA.pdf]
Auto-linked by context
NE - 2026 - Addendum 1 - Language Change
Auto-linked by context
NE - 2026 - RHTP Initiative 1.2 FAQ
Auto-linked by context
NE - 2025 - Build Rural Workforce
Auto-linked by context
NE - 2026 - CMS RHTP 50-State Spotlight (FY2026) — Nebraska
Auto-linked by context
NE - 2026 - View an accessible PDF.
Auto-linked by context
NE - 2026 - Nebraska RHT CMS Priorities Strategy
Auto-linked by context
NE - 2026 - Nebraska Project Summary RHTP
Auto-linked by context
NE - 2026 - Timeline PDF
Auto-linked by context
NE - 2026 - DHHS Releases RFAs for RHTP Funding Opportunities
Auto-linked by context
NE - 2025 - Form 2 - Applicant's Organizational Overview
Auto-linked process guidance fallback (7%)
Nebraska DHHS announced an intent to award a rural health workforce incentive and sustainability grant to The Well NE under RHTP Initiative 3.3. Several applicants did not meet eligibility criteria. No financial details are provided in this announcement. Key contacts: dhhs.snapeandtprovider@nebraska.gov Event schedule: - Intent to Award Notification - 6/15/2026
Event Schedule
Contacts
Core Initiatives
This document lists the individual hospitals in Nebraska receiving funding as part of the Nebraska High Value Network collaborative network. One hospital (Brodstone Healthcare) is noted as having been awarded individually and thus not being awarded over the network maximum. Event schedule: - Department of Health and Human Services RHTP Initiative 4.4b Awards 06/10/2026 Initiative 4.4b – Remote Patient Monitoring in Facilities and at Home Period of Performance: May 20, 2026, through May 19, 2027 DHHS appreciates all applicants for their interest and commitment to advancing rural health in Nebraska. These funds are part of a five-year grant program. Additional funding opportunities may be available in the years ahead to continue building partnerships and expanding impact across the state. The following have been selected for award for the Request for Application which closed April 24, 2026. Applicant Award Amount Antelope Memorial Hospital $ 778,897.18 Beatrice Community Hospital & Health Center $ 278,684.02 Box Butte General Hospital $ 200,000.00 CHI Good Samaritan/CHI St. Francis $ 430,601.57 CHI Health Plainview $ 355,311.03 CHI Health Schuyler $ 711,629.63 CHI St. Mary’s $ 908,475.54 Chase County Community Hospital $ 195,523.20 Faith Health $ 578,673.70 Genoa Health Center $ 200,000.00 Good Neighbor Community Health Center $ 303,276.49 Heartland Health Center $ 199,950.00 Jefferson Community Health & Life $ 446,741.33 Johnson County Hospital $ 393,220.57 Mary Lanning Healthcare $ 460,239.40 Methodist Fremont Health $ 334,176.13 Midtown Health Center $ 221,239.63 Nebraska High Value Network^ $ 18,156,856.12 OneWorld Community Health Centers $ 395,048.53 Pawnee County Memorial Hospital $ 479,692.57 Providence Medical Center $ 311,698.70 Regional West Medical Center $ 736,148.14 Syracuse Area Health $ 200,000.00 Winnebago Comprehensive Healthcare System $ 414,693.75 The Rural Health Transformation Program is supported by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (US HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $218,529,075.01 with 100 percent funded by CMS/US HHS. The contents are those of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CMS/US HHS, or the U.S. Government. - pg. 1 - ^Nebraska High Value Network is a collaborative network. The list of individual hospitals receiving funding as of the time of this notice follows. Boone County Health Center — Albion Jefferson Community Health and Life — Fairbury Brodstone Healthcare — Superior (will not be awarded over the maximum allowable Brown County Hospital — Ainsworth amount, as they were awarded individually) Butler County Health Care Center — David City Jennie M. Melham Memorial Medical Center — Callaway District Hospital — Callaway Broken Bow Cherry County Hospital — Valentine Lexington Regional Health Center — Lexington Cozad Community Health System — Cozad Memorial Community Health — Aurora Fillmore County Hospital — Geneva Memorial Health Care Systems — Seward Franciscan Healthcare — West Point Sidney Regional Medical Center — Sidney Gothenburg Health — Gothenburg Tri Valley Health System — Cambridge Harlan County Health System — Alma Valley County Health System — Ord Howard County Medical Center — St. Paul York General Health Care Services — York | pg. 2
Nebraska's RHTP Initiative 1.3 RFA provides nearly $8.3 million for equipment supporting local food production and distribution to rural schools. Eligible local producers and suppliers can apply for grants up to $150,000 for equipment such as refrigerators, trailers, and food safety tools. Priority is given to applications serving rural/tribal/frontier communities and food deserts for increased school meals access to local foods. Key contacts: nde.nutritionservices@nebraska.gov; nde.nsweb@nebraska.gov Event schedule: - RFA Release Date - 06/15/2026 - Application Window Opens - 06/12/2026 - Application Due Date - 08/31/2026 - Period of Performance Start - 06/01/2026 - Period of Performance End - 06/30/2027
Event Schedule
Contacts
Core Initiatives
Event schedule: - Applications are open until , 2026. To apply, visit https://nehca.org/NEHCA/Support/RHTPALGrant.aspx - June 30 - Sections on this page
Event Schedule
The addendum corrects the Evaluation Criteria for Request For Proposal 112209 O3 related to Rural Health Transformation. No awards or sub-beneficiaries are announced. Bidders are instructed to review the revised criteria. Key contacts: Greg Walklin Gregory.Walklin@nebraska.gov Event schedule: - Addendum issuance date - 07/20/2022
Contacts
This meeting agenda outlines the onboarding and orientation process for participants in the Rural Health Transformation Program advisory structure. It describes steps for governance, regional input, and the year-long development of rural health recommendations. No funding, awards, or application details are addressed.
Core Initiatives
This document provides a template for applicants to detail the initiative objectives, workforce activities, responsible individuals, and required budget justification for the Rural Health Transformation Program Initiative 3.2 in Nebraska for fiscal years 2025-2026. Key contacts: DHHS.EMSTraumaProgram@nebraska.gov
This CMS high-level summary describes state applications for the FY26 Rural Health Transformation Program, spanning over a dozen states. Common strategic themes include workforce development, chronic disease prevention, maternal health improvement, adoption of digital health tools, care coordination, and financial stabilization of rural hospitals. Increasing access to care, reducing disparities, and building sustainable rural health systems are highlighted throughout.
Core Initiatives
This FAQ clarifies eligibility, allowable expenses, and response requirements for RHTP Initiative 4.4b in Nebraska, which funds assistive technologies for safety at home and in the community for older adults and people with disabilities. Cellular data plans are not covered, but other subscriptions may be depending on vendor proposal. The maximum award per entity is $1,500,000, with flexibility for joint proposals.
Core Initiatives
Nebraska DHHS received federal RHTP dollars on December 29, 2025 and will allocate funds through RFA 5.3 for mental health crisis facility modifications. Funding is reimbursement-based for approved expenditures completed before October 30, 2026. Eligible applicants include nonprofits providing acute/sub-acute psychiatric, crisis stabilization, substance use withdrawal, social detoxification, and crisis response services in rural communities. Event schedule: - Period of Performance Start - 12/29/2025 - Period of Performance End - 10/30/2026 - Federal Award to Nebraska - 12/29/2025 - Intent to Award Notification Window
Reference: Nebraska DHHS seeking rural health experts to join federal program advisory group | Nebraska Public Media Link: https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/es/news/news-articles/nebraska-dhhs-seeking-rural-health-experts-to-join-federal-program-advisory-group/
NE strategy refreshed: transformationStrategy updated · strategicGoals: 7 · summary updated
NE progress refreshed: implementationPhase: IMPLEMENTING · progressSummary updated
NE overview refreshed: summary updated
NE RHTP site updated — 1 new doc(s)
NE RHTP site updated — 1 new doc(s)
Spreadsheets, data exports, and reference documents — available for download but excluded from the main activity feed.
NE - 2001 - List of Respondents
NE - 2001 - List of Respondents
NE - 2026 - Healthy Blue Proposal
Event schedule: - Lincoln, NE – The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will open applications for the Nebraska Rural Health Workforce Incentive Program on , 2026. This program will provide financial incentives to support health care professionals in relocating to, or continuing to serve in, rural Nebraska counties—defined by the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) as all counties except Douglas, Lancaster, and Sarpy—to strengthen recruitment, retention, and the expansion of clinical services in rural communities. - April 15 - Full-time and part-time healthcare providers living in Nebraska and providing care in rural communities are eligible. Providers must agree to serve for five years at an eligible facility in a rural community. Providers must accept Medicaid and work in one of the following settings: - Tuesday, , 2026, at 12 p.m. CT. - April 14 - 6 p.m - https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_p69CRBleTqqBUSwYzQvDdQ - Wednesday, , 2026, at 6 p.m. CT. - April 22 - https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dDAK4R76S-2JUBUwDNfsxg#/registration
Nebraska DHHS announced three RFAs under RHTP for 2026, addressing food as medicine, rural workforce development, and chronic disease management. Nebraska received $218.5 million for year one of a five-year federal grant to support its rural health initiatives. Key contacts: Alycia Davis alycia.davis@nebraska.gov Event schedule: - Application Deadline for Food as Medicine RFA - 04/08/2026 - Application Deadline for Chronic Disease Management RFA - 03/17/2026 - Application Deadline for Rural Workforce Incentive RFA - 06/01/2026
Contacts
Core Initiatives
Nebraska received the 8th highest Rural Health Transformation Program award in the country totaling over $218 million for 2025. The state will implement seven initiatives focused on prevention, tech-enabled care, and workforce development in rural health. Event schedule: - Gov. Pillen Touts Huge Rural Health Transformation Program Award - Office of Governor Jim Pillen Skip to main content Governor Jim Pillen Office of the Governor Search Search '/themes/custom/governor/scripts/negov-search.inc' Menu ☰ Home About Governor Jim Pillen Governor's Residence Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly News Media Credentialing Press Contacts Press Releases Governor's Photo Governor’s Columns Executive Orders Cabinet Constituent Services Boards and Commissions: Open Positions Proclamation Request Admiralship Request Event Letter Request Write the Governor Subscribe for Text or Email Updates Governor’s Office Flag Policy Internship Program Public Records request Nebraska Legislature Governor's Initiatives Nebraska Property Tax Reform Nebraska Property Tax Plan 2024 School Property Tax Collection Report Governor’s Public Servant Mentorship Program Systems-Wide Approach to Overhauling Government Returning Money to Taxpayers While Improving Government DHHS Success Stories DMV Success Stories DOL Success Stories How Nebraska Ranks Contact --> Governor Jim Pillen Facebook Posts Facebook Posts Home News Press Releases Gov. Pillen Touts Huge Rural Health Transformation Program Award Gov. Pillen Touts Huge Rural Health Transformation Program Award December 29, 2025 Contact: Laura Strimple, (402) 580-9495 Gov. Pillen Touts Huge Rural Health Transformation Program Award LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen released the following statement after the Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services (CMS) announced its awards for the Rural Health Transformation Program, a $50 billion initiative established under President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts legislation to strengthen and modernize health care in rural communities across the country. “The partnerships we have built throughout President Trump’s team paid off for Nebraska today in a BIG way,” said Governor Pillen. “Per the announcement from Secretary Kennedy and Administrator Oz, the application I directed our team to submit for Rural Health Transformation funds was awarded over $218 million for rural healthcare, the 8th highest award in the country.” Through the initiative, the state of Nebraska will receive $218,529,075 for the first year of the five-year grant from the federal government, a once-in-a-generation opportunity to Make Rural Nebraska Healthy Again. “President Trump’s commitment to rural economic revitalization is real, and today’s announcement is proof,” Gov. Pillen continued. “On behalf of all Nebraskans, I am grateful for this partnership and support.” The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will build a prevention first, tech-enabled sustainable rural health care system. The project will prevent chronic disease, regionalize care, and advance Make America Healthy Again priorities. To achieve this vision, DHHS will implement seven integrated initiatives to strengthen the State’s rural health infrastructure, address workforce gaps, and ensure access to care through consumer-facing technology. “DHHS is committed to begin work immediately in partnership with our rural providers to build a strong, comprehensive health care infrastructure for rural communities, one that will stand as a national model,” said DHHS CEO Steve Corsi. “We are grateful to Governor Pillen for his leadership and persistent collaboration with federal partners in bringing this historic rural investment to fruition.” “More than 60 million Americans living in rural areas have the right to equal access to quality care,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “This historic investment puts local hospitals, clinics, and health workers in control of their communities’ healthcare. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, rural Americans will now have affordable healthcare close to home, free from bureaucratic obstacles.” “Today marks an extraordinary milestone for rural health in America,” said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “Thanks to Congress establishing this investment and President Trump for his leadership, states are stepping forward with bold, creative plans to expand rural access, strengthen their workforces, modernize care, and support the communities that keep our nation running. CMS is proud to partner with every state to turn their ideas into lasting improvements for rural families.” Background Photo Provided by the Nebraska Tourism Commission --> Contact Us PO Box 94848, Lincoln, NE 68509-4848 Governor's Office is located at: 1445 K Street, Lincoln, NE 68508 Phone: 402-471-2244 Contact the Governor's Office Quick Links --> Powered by Tyler Technologies Copyright 2026 State of Nebraska Nebraska.gov Nebraska Policies Login
Core Initiatives
This document provides a comprehensive set of quality performance measures for Medicaid managed care organizations, including targets for claims processing, encounter submission, screening, and chronic disease management. It emphasizes improving health outcomes across key priority areas such as maternal health, chronic illness, and substance use disorder treatment. Event schedule: - Prenatal and Postpartum Care: Postpartum Care (PPC-AD): Percentage of deliveries of live births on or between of the year prior to the measurement year and October 7 of the measurement year that had a postpartum visit on or between seven (7) and eighty-four (84) days after delivery. - October 8 - 76.4% - Prenatal and Postpartum Care: Timeliness of Prenatal Care (PPC-CH): Percentage of deliveries of live births on or between of the year prior to the measurement year and October7 of the measurement year that received a prenatal care visit in the first trimester, on or before the enrollment start date or within forty-two (42) days of enrollment in Medicaid/CHIP. - October 8 - 81.51%
Core Initiatives
Contacts
Event Schedule
Core Initiatives
NE - 2013 - Attachment 13 - Reporting Requirements
NE - 2023 - Attachment 23 - Expansion RC and Non-Exp HIPP RC Calculation Examples
XLSX
NE - 2022 - Attachment 9 - 2022 Health Care Acquired Conditions
15_hypertension_ambulatory.pdf
NE - 2016 - Attachment 16 - Example Base Data Model - Physical and Behavioral
NE - 2026 - Attachment 2 - Nebraska Counties Classified by Urban, Rural, & Frontier Status
NE - 2026 - Attachment 1 - Initial Backlog Stories
XLSX
2018-Procurement-Manual-Updated-09132018.pdf
NE - 2015 - MS Word Format
DOCX
NE - 2026 - UnitedHealthcare of the Midlands Proposal
2020_WhatisHBPMedicine.pdf
NE - 2026 - Nebraska Total Care Proposal - Part 1
14-_medication_adherence.pdf
NE - 2026 - Nebraska Total Care Proposal - Part 3
NE - 2012 - Attachment 12 - Example Capitation Rates
NE - 2026 - Attachment 3 - Financial Workbook
XLSX
NE - 2026 - Medica Proposal
NE - 2026 - Nebraska Total Care Proposal - Part 2
NE - 2026 - Attachment 1 to Work Order 2
XLSX
NE - 2026 - View an accessible PDF.
NE - 2022 - Attachment 20 - Heritage Health Calendar Year 2022 Capitation Rate Certification Exhibits
XLSX
contractsTickler.xls
XLSX
NE - 2010 - Attachment 10 - Liquidated Damages
NE - 2011 - Attachment 11 - Data Exhibits Dental
NE - 2010 - MS Word Format
DOCX
NE - 2011 - MS Excel Format
XLSX
NE - 2013 - MS Word Format
DOCX
NE - 2014 - Attachment 14 - Access Standards
NE - 2015 - Attachment 15 - High Cost Drug Pool Risk Corridor
NE - 2014 - MS Word Format
DOCX
NE - 2021 - Attachment 21 - Risk Corridor
XLSX
NE - 2026 - Molina Proposal
NE - 2010 - Molina Response Exhibit to Healthy Blue Protest
NE - 2026 - MS Excel Format
XLSX
NE - 2026 - MS Word Format [Attachment_4_-_Rating_Regions.docx]
DOCX
NE - 2026 - Attachment 1 to Work Order 1
XLSX
NE - 2026 - Form 8 – References
DOCX