Louisiana

The document announces the completion of Year 1 funding under the Rural Health Transformation Program in Louisiana.

The Louisiana RHTP offers three funding routes totaling approximately $213.5 million, including direct non-competitive awards, competitive NOFOs across transformation strategies, and a technology partnership fund. Applicants must confirm rural eligibility and consult parish-specific data to prepare applications. Final awards and recipients are not yet determined or listed here.

Louisiana is preparing an application for the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, which allocates approximately $200 million per year over five years to the state for rural health infrastructure, workforce, and access. The strategy focuses on high-morbidity, provider shortage areas and emphasizes innovative care models, strategic partnerships, and improving health outcomes. Rural health priorities include heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and tobacco use, all at higher rates than urban areas.

This RFI seeks information to inform Louisiana's statewide EHR implementation for rural providers under LA RHTP, focusing on integration, provider onboarding, and implementation staffing. No funding is announced. The final strategy will guide future EHR partner procurements. Key contacts: ruralhealthtransformation@la.gov Event schedule: - Public Notice of RFI - 07/13/2026 - CT - Deadline for Receipt of RFI Responses - 07/17/2026 - 11:59PM CT - Optional Vendor Presentations - July 20-29, 2026 - TBD CT

Event schedule: - requirements. LDH reserves the right to approve, partially fund, defer, or deny any application based on available resources and program considerations. 8 Version 1.0, Published , 2026 - July 2

This guidance explains how locations in Louisiana can determine if they meet the rural eligibility criteria for RHTP funding using three separate pathways, focusing on geographic, facility type, and patient residence data. It clarifies that only Pathway 1 (geographic rural designation) is automatically checked by this tool, while Pathways 2 and 3 require additional documentation.

This document provides a general public health data update and news from the Louisiana Department of Health including Medicaid work requirements, pregnancy information, water safety, nutrition assistance programs, and mental health initiatives. It also highlights Louisiana's water system infrastructure funding and recent news but does not detail any Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) awards or activities. Event schedule: - Starting , 2027, a new federal law requires some adults on Medicaid to report community engagement activities, commonly known as work requirements, to keep their Medicaid coverage. - January 1 - Pregnancy Information - , 2026 - October 09 - CMS approves Louisiana’s 1115 Reentry Demonstration authorizing pre-release services to eligible incarcerated individuals - , 2026 - October 08 - Louisiana invests $37.7 million to strengthen rural health care workforce - , 2026 - October 06 - LDH congratulates Baton Rouge pharmacist T.J. Woodard on national honor - , 2026 - October 05 - LDH reinforces importance of naloxone and overdose prevention with detection of cychlorphine

Louisiana launched six major RHTP initiatives in Budget Period 1 through competitive awards totaling over $110M in awarded funding to dozens of rural providers, clinics, universities, and partners statewide. Multiple milestones for governance, project approval, and launch were met. Funding spans workforce, technology, care delivery, nutrition, behavioral health, and capital improvement. Event schedule: - 2027 Advisory Council Meeting - 03/11/2027 - CT - LDH, Baton Rouge - 2027 Advisory Council Meeting - 06/17/2027 - CT - LDH, Baton Rouge - 2027 Advisory Council Meeting - 09/09/2027 - CT - LDH, Baton Rouge - 2027 Advisory Council Meeting - 12/09/2027 - CT - LDH, Baton Rouge

The program is supported by more than $208 million in federal funding, positioning Louisiana to draw down over $1 billion over five years. It includes the creation of a Rural Health Transformation Program Advisory Council to guide implementation and align efforts with statewide and local priorities. Key focuses include workforce expansion, technology modernization, care delivery innovation, chronic disease burden reduction, and improved coordination of health services. Event schedule: - , 2026 - April 07 - Governor Landry establishes the Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability at LDHNew office will strengthen rural health care access, workforce, and outcomes across Louisiana

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) has completed the allocation of its first-year funding from the federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), distributing approximately $208 million to rural health initiatives across the state. The funding, which was highly competitive due to over $498 million in requests, was directed toward workforce expansion, technology innovation, new care models, preventive care, and sustainable facility access. LDH also made significant state-directed supplemental payments to rural hospitals in addition to the federal program. Key investments include expanding health workforce training programs and fostering partnerships with educational institutions.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry announced the state's new Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), a multi-year initiative designed to improve access, quality, and sustainability of rural health care. The RHTP offers recruitment grants and matching funds to help hospitals attract new physicians. The program's launch coincides with the sale of four financially troubled rural hospitals, including Northern Louisiana Medical Center (NLMC), which may benefit from the new state funding opportunities.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) has awarded Louisiana $37.7 million in federal funding. This funding is dedicated to building Louisiana’s rural healthcare workforce by supporting education, training, recruitment, and retention efforts.

Louisiana will receive $37.7 million to build the state's rural healthcare workforce.

The program includes multiple strategic funding opportunities such as the Rural Clinician Credit Bank, Rural Collaborative Provider Models, Medicaid Alternative Payment Model, Regional Care Conveners and Navigation Networks, Food is Medicine, Telehealth Infrastructure, and Rural Health Facilities Capital Improvement. Application deadlines range from June to August 2026, with various initiatives aimed at strengthening rural healthcare access, quality, and coordination. Event schedule: - Deadline to Submit Written Questions: Extended through Monday, , 2026 - July 6 - Learn More About This Funding Opportunity - Application Submission Deadline for Year 1 Funds: Wednesday, , 2026 - August 5 - Learn More About This Funding Opportunity - Deadline to Submit Written Questions: Tuesday, , 2026 - July 7 - Learn More About This Funding Opportunity - Application Submission Deadline for Year 1 Funds: Friday, , 2026 - August 7 - Learn More About This Funding Opportunity - Deadline to Submit Written Questions: , 2026 - July 9 - Learn More About This Funding Opportunity - Application Submission Deadline for Year 1 Funds: , 2026 - August 14 - Learn More About This Funding Opportunity - Deadline to Submit Written Questions: Extended through Friday, , 2026 - June 12 - Learn More About This Funding Opportunity - Application Submission Deadline for Year 1 Funds: , 2026 - July 10 - Learn More About This Funding Opportunity

Announcement of a Rural Health Transformation Summit in Louisiana to foster innovation, collaboration, and sustainability in rural health. The event includes networking sessions and presentations on funding and strategies to improve rural health outcomes. Event schedule: - Rural Health Transformation Summit - 06/11/2026 - Natchitoches Events Center, 750 Second Street, Natchitoches, LA