Rhode Island

Rhode Island is launching a statewide Rural Health Transformation Program with an emphasis on access, workforce, behavioral health, and maternal-child health. The announcement establishes a Rural Stakeholder Advisory Council to guide implementation and ensure community engagement. The Council will provide transparency, accountability, and support alignment with evolving rural health needs. Key contacts: Kilah Walters-Clinton Kilah.WaltersClinton@ohhs.ri.gov Event schedule: - The federal government is making changes to Medicaid programs across the country. Effective , 2026, new federal laws will stop Medicaid for some people who are not U.S. citizens. Starting in 2027, some adults on Medic...

The mini-grant program funds recruitment, retention, and administrative support to increase capacity for Medicaid primary care in Rhode Island through tiered funding allocations and compliance requirements. Event schedule: - Program Funds Expiration - 12/31/2025 - Rhode Island

In June 2025, Rhode Island awarded $6.7 million to 85 primary care practices to support workforce recruitment and retention amid declining primary care provider numbers. The funding targets practices serving Medicaid populations and those not yet enrolled in Medicaid, structured in three tiers. Key contacts: ohhs.medicaidprogramcao@ohhs.ri.gov Event schedule: - Award Announcement - June 2025 - Grant Funds Expenditure Deadline - 12/31/2025 - Rhode Island

Rhode Island's RHTP-funded initiative will invest $155,000 per eligible rural community—$125,000 for community engagement and $30,000 for public health supplies—in the initial year, supporting the establishment of durable Rural Community Health Networks across 18 rural communities. Eligible applicant organizations must be municipalities, public, or not-for-profit community-based entities with local credibility and capacity. Funding is contingent on performance, compliance, and available funds through 2031, and applicants must provide insurance and identify local priorities and partnerships. Key contacts: Christopher Ausura Christopher.J.Ausura@ohhs.ri.gov Event schedule: - Application Open Date - 07/30/2026 - Application Due Date - 08/30/2026

This document details the structure, responsibilities, and membership criteria for Rhode Island's Rural Stakeholder Advisory Council as part of the RHTP. The council serves as a statewide advisory body integrating feedback from Networks and Regional Hubs, and supports responsive rural health transformation implementation. Broad representation and conflict-of-interest practices are emphasized to ensure accountability and equitable input from rural communities.

Rhode Island submitted a multi-component RHTP plan targeting population health, behavioral health, workforce, EMS, HIT, and innovative care. The plan leverages new CMS funding, focuses on rural equity, and aligns with long-term health system goals and measurable targets. Event schedule: - Application deadline - 11/05/2025 - CMS award decisions expected - 12/31/2025 - Planning Meeting - Patient Experience - 12/01/2025 - Planning Meeting - System Solvency - 12/15/2025 - Planning Meeting - Access and Affordability - 01/15/2026 - Planning Meeting - Health Care Services and HRSNs - 01/23/2026 - Planning Meeting - System Infrastructure - 01/26/2026

Rhode Island secured a $156 million 5-year RHTP award with $142.7 million planned for SFYs 2026-27. The budget funds thirteen initiatives targeting value-based payment transition, rural workforce development, health IT modernization, behavioral health expansion, and innovative care delivery models.

Rhode Island RHTP plans to strengthen access to high-quality, sustainable community-driven care in rural and island areas. The $1 billion five-year program covers 13 interconnected initiatives that target clinical care hubs, EMS, workforce, value-based care, and technology integration.

Rhode Island's RHTP application outlines a $1 billion, five-year program supporting 13 key initiatives to transform rural health care across the state. The program emphasizes integrated community-based care, technology modernization, workforce training, and emergency services enhancement for sustainable, high-quality health delivery.

The program focuses on building integrated community care, expanding Federally Qualified Health Centers, investing in mobile health and EMS, supporting local health systems including Block Island and the Narragansett Indian Tribe, combating the opioid crisis, growing the rural health workforce, delivering hospital care at home, advancing value-based care, and modernizing health IT across rural towns. The proposal estimates an approximate $100 million annual allocation for five years contingent on CMS approval. Development incorporated extensive collaboration with state agencies, health organizations, and community feedback. Event schedule: - Formal Application Submission - 11/13/2025 - 2:54 PM ET - Providence, RI

Rhode Island is planning its application for the CMS Rural Health Transformation Program, a $50 billion, five-year national funding opportunity. The state is engaging communities and key stakeholders to shape its strategy, focused on prevention, workforce, technology, and innovative care models. Success will require selecting at least three program activities, building strategic partnerships, and addressing rural hospital sustainability. Key contacts: RIDOH.OPCRH@health.ri.gov Event schedule: - CMS Notice of Funding Opportunity Released - September 15, 2025 - Application Due - November 5, 2025 - Award Decisions Announced - December 31, 2025