About the Course
Introduction
This CLE webinar will provide a comprehensive overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The panel will examine the program's goals and program implementation under the newly established Office of Rural Health Transformation (ORHT). The panel will discuss funding allocation as well as how healthcare providers may qualify for funding and implement qualifying programs. The panel will also address legal compliance considerations for funding recipients.
Description
CMS recently announced the first round of awards under the RHTP, a $50 billion, five-year initiative established under OBBBA to address longstanding disparities in rural healthcare access by providing all 50 states with substantial funding to strengthen and modernize healthcare in rural communities.
Under RHTP, states are required to use funding for certain approved uses including prioritizing and investing in technologies to help prevent and manage chronic diseases, and strengthening the rural healthcare workforce through training, recruitment, and retention efforts.
CMS also formally established the ORHT within the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services to oversee RHTP implementation, including developing application criteria, distributing funding to states, providing policy guidance, and ensuring strong oversight and accountability throughout the five-year program.
Counsel should understand the program's requirements and how their healthcare clients may gain access to and implement programs that qualify for RHTP funding.
Listen as our expert panel provides a comprehensive overview of RHTP. The panel will discuss the program's goals, funding initiatives, and ORHT's role in program implementation. The panel will also discuss how healthcare providers may benefit from the program including qualifying for assistance, engaging in state-led planning efforts, and implementing funded activities.
Presented By
In her role as government affairs and policy coordinator, Ms. Abel provides policy and research support for rural health policy and programmatic interests for the U.S. Congress, the White House, federal agencies, and other relevant state and non-governmental organizations. Before joining NRHA she earned a J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
Ms. Farrell provides legal and regulatory counseling as well as investigation, litigation, and transactional support to healthcare payers, providers, suppliers, trade associations, and other healthcare businesses, including private equity and other healthcare investors. With vast experience in Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act, she also advises clients on federal healthcare program reimbursement, compliance, fraud and abuse matters and government investigations. For over a decade, she served as the lead attorney advising the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services within the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services on complex and high-profile Medicaid and Medicare initiatives, offering providers, health plans and businesses a deep understanding of how to navigate the complex laws and evolving policies underpinning Medicare and Medicaid, including the many opportunities for innovation under both programs.
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Mr. Wilson practices with the healthcare group and is the managing partner of the Raleigh office. He has worked for more than 40 years with healthcare industry clients to find innovative and regulatory-compliant business solutions in the constantly changing healthcare industry. Mr. Wilson devotes his law practice to representing healthcare providers such as hospitals, healthcare systems, physicians and physician groups, and skilled nursing facilities, among others, with an emphasis on corporate and regulatory matters, healthcare compliance, network development, and mergers and acquisitions.
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This 90-minute webinar is eligible in most states for 1.5 CLE credits.
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Date + Time
- event
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
- schedule
1:00 p.m. ET./10:00 a.m. PT
I. Introduction
II. RHTP overview
A. Purpose
B. Program goals
C. Application process
D. State funding allocation and distribution of funds
E. Funding timelines
III. ORHT overview
A. Function
B. Responsibilities
IV. Healthcare provider participation
A. Eligibility criteria
B. Access to funding
C. Implementing funded activities
V. Legal compliance considerations for funding recipients
VI. Practitioner takeaways
The panel will review these and other key considerations:
- What are the goals of RHTP? What role will ORHT play in the program's implementation?
- On what bases will states be allocated RHTP funding and for what purposes?
- How may healthcare providers qualify for RHTP funds? What steps can they take to prepare for and develop initiatives in which to utilize this funding?
- What are legal compliance considerations for all funding recipients?
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