We’re excited to share a major milestone for rural health in North Carolina. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved North Carolina’s application for the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), unlocking over $213 million in first-year funding to strengthen health care delivery across 85 rural counties.
This achievement reflects collaboration with more than 420 stakeholders, including rural hospitals, community health centers, local health departments, Tribal communities, and community- and faith-based organizations. It underscores North Carolina’s long-standing commitment to ensuring rural residents have access to high-quality, affordable care.
North Carolina has the second-largest rural population in the nation, facing unique challenges in access, workforce, and infrastructure. The RHTP introduces six key strategies to address these needs:
Implementation will involve a broad coalition of state agencies, rural providers, community partners, academic institutions, and the private sector. Once funding is received, NCDHHS will:
To keep the conversation going, NCDHHS will host a virtual town hall on Friday, Jan. 16 to share program goals, next steps, and statewide impact. Details and registration will be available soon on the https://www.ncdhhs.gov.
This is a transformative moment for rural health in North Carolina, and we look forward to working together to make it a success.
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