NW Kansas News

The State of Kansas has begun the application process for the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program. This program, created through the Reconciliation Bill, directs the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to work with states to address challenges faced by rural health providers and invest in solutions aimed at improving outcomes for those providers. Kansas is expected to receive about $1 billion from this fund over the next five years.

“Throughout the reconciliation process, I worked with my colleagues to establish $50 billion in funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program to invest in the success of rural health care and provide critical resources to hospitals in need,” said Sen. Moran. “With Kansas estimated to receive approximately $1 billion from this fund over the next five years, I look forward to working with the state government and the University of Kansas Health System Care Collaborative team to make certain Kansas providers receive the needed resources to improve the delivery of quality care to rural communities.”

Governor Laura Kelly announced that an educational webinar will be held on Monday, September 29, at 9 a.m. CT. The event will be organized by the State of Kansas in partnership with the University of Kansas Health System Care Collaborative. The webinar aims to discuss details about the application process and address questions regarding stakeholder engagement. Rural health care providers, state employees, and interested members of the public are encouraged to register their interest through the Kansas Rural Health Innovation Alliance, which was established to oversee both progress on the application and implementation of rural health initiatives in Kansas.

Senator Moran played a role in establishing this provider fund as part of legislative negotiations and met with hospital leaders across Kansas to highlight changes intended to support rural hospitals.