California

California RHTP spring webinar introduction/update deck; supporting announcement context for program awareness and timeline updates.

The California Rural Health Transformation (CalRHT) program is the state's implementation of the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, aiming to improve health care delivery in rural communities. The program is administered by the Department of Health Care Access and Information and focuses on tackling workforce shortages, access challenges, and infrastructure barriers specific to rural California. No specific hospital or provider awards are announced in this document. Event schedule: - , 2026 - May 15 - Share your feedback on the Behavioral Health Services Act and Workforce Education and Training Plan - , 2026 - Apr 6 - 4,000+ and Counting: California’s Certified Wellness Coaches Are Praised During Statewide Celebration - , 2026 - Mar 24 - Healthcare Payments Data (HPD) Program Quarterly Newsletter March 2026

California has received a $233.6 million federal award for rural health transformation under the RHTP for FY 2026. The CalRHT program, led by the Department of Health Care Access and Information, centers on strengthening health care delivery in rural areas, addressing access, workforce, and infrastructure barriers. Multiple webinars and community meetings have been held to advance planning and stakeholder engagement. Key contacts: CalRHT@hcai.ca.gov Event schedule: - Rural Health Policy Council Meeting - July 28, 2026 - CalRHT Program Spring Webinar - April 21, 2026 - Recording - Tech Innovation Webinar - October 1, 2025 - Recording - Workforce Development Webinar - October 1, 2025 - Recording - Innovative Care Webinar - October 2, 2025 - Recording - Sustainable Access Webinar - October 2, 2025 - Recording - Make Rural America Healthy Again Webinar - October 3, 2025 - Recording - CalRHT Kickoff Webinar - September 4, 2025 - Recording / Presentation Material

California awarded nearly $300 million in zero-percent interest loans to 17 financially distressed community hospitals under the Distressed Hospital Loan Program to support their operational stability. Loans have a 72-month repayment term with an 18-month grace period and are intended to prevent hospital closures and sustain care services.

California's CA-RHT program will implement three major initiatives targeting rural access, workforce, and technology, requesting $233.6M federal funding in 2026-2027. Extensive program leadership, stakeholder engagement, finance, and grants management teams are planned, with subrecipient and consultant budgets laid out but not yet awarded. The program structure leverages existing Department of Health leadership and partnerships for rapid launch and rural impact. Key contacts: Hovik Khosrovian; Scott Christman; Lemeneh Tefera, MD, MSc; Michael Valle Event schedule: - Budget Narrative Revised Submission Date - 03/27/2026 - Budget revision date - 2026-03-27 - California - Previous budget revision date - 2026-02-13 - California

Event schedule: - Bill Status - AB-1923 Distressed Hospital Loan Program. skip to content home accessibility FAQ feedback sitemap login x Quick Search: Bill Number Bill Keyword Home Bill Information California Law Publications Other Resources My Subscriptions My Favorites Bill Information Bill Search Status Status PDF2 Bill PDF - Add To My Favorites | Track Bill | Version: 05/20/26 - Amended Assembly 04/23/26 - Amended Assembly 03/26/26 - Amended Assembly 02/12/26 - Introduced AB-1923 Distressed Hospital Loan Program. (2025-2026) Text Votes History Bill Analysis Today's Law As Amended Compare Versions Status Comments To Author Track Bill Add To My Favorites Steps bill has passed through in each house: Senate Assembly 1st Int Cmt 2nd Cmt 2nd 3rd Pass 1st Senate Assembly 1st Int Cmt 2nd Cmt 2nd 3rd Pass 1st Bill Status Measure: AB-1923 Lead Authors: Soria (A) Principal Coauthors: Gipson (A) , Ransom (A) Coauthors: Carrillo (A) , Mark González (A) , Haney (A) , Harabedian (A) , Michelle Rodriguez (A) , Rogers (A) Topic: Distressed Hospital Loan Program. 31st Day in Print: 03/15/26 Title: An act to amend Section 129387 of, and to amend, repeal, and add Sections 129380, 129381, 129383, 129384, 129385, and 129387 of and 129384 of, the Health and Safety Code, relating to hospitals, making an appropriation therefor, and declaring the urgency thereof, to take effect immediately. House Location: Senate Last Amended Date: 05/20/26 Voting Committee Location: Asm Appropriations Committee Action Date: 05/14/26 Committee Motion: Do pass as amended. Committee Vote Result: (PASS) »» Ayes: 15; Noes: 0; Abstain: 0; Type of Measure Active Bill - Pending Referral Two Thirds Vote Required Non-Appropriation Fiscal Committee Non-State-Mandated Local Program Urgency Non-Tax levy Last 5 History Actions Date Action 05/28/26 In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. 05/27/26 Read third time. Urgency clause adopted. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 77. Noes 0.). 05/21/26 Read second time. Ordered to third reading. 05/20/26 Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading. 05/19/26 From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 14).

California’s Small and Rural Hospital Relief Program (SRHRP) provides state grant funding and technical assistance for seismic compliance to small, rural, and Critical Access Hospitals. The program is supported by excise tax revenue on electronic cigarettes and a 2023-24 budget allocation. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, and eligible projects include both planning/design and construction activities related to seismic resistance.

This document provides high-level summaries of state applications to the Rural Health Transformation Program for FY26. Each state proposes multi-million dollar initiatives focused on rural hospital stabilization, workforce expansion, telehealth adoption, and chronic disease prevention. Strategic goals commonly include increasing rural provider recruitment, expanding digital care, and implementing value-based care and population health models.

California established the Distressed Hospital Loan Program in 2023 to offer $150 million in zero-interest loans to financially distressed hospitals to support turnaround efforts. The program includes monitoring hospital financial health via quarterly data reporting and is administered jointly by HCAI and CHFFA.

The California Rural Health Transformation Program proposes to create a network of regional care collaboratives focused on improving access and quality of rural health care. It emphasizes workforce development, technology modernization, and financial stability to enhance local health outcomes across primary, maternity, chronic disease, and specialty care.

CalRHT is led by the Department of Health Care Access and Information and is designed to address rural access challenges, workforce shortages, and infrastructure gaps. California has been awarded $233.6 million for Federal Fiscal Year 2026 to support rural communities, with the goal of building a connected, resilient rural health system that ensures timely, person-centered care closer to home. Key contacts: CalRHT@hcai.ca.gov Event schedule: - CalRHT Kickoff Webinar - September 4, 2025 - Tech Innovation - October 1, 2025 - Workforce Development - October 1, 2025 - Innovative Care - October 2, 2025 - Sustainable Access - October 2, 2025 - Make Rural America Healthy Again - October 3, 2025 - CalRHT Spring Webinar - April 21, 2026 - Rural Health Policy Council (RHPC) Meeting - July 28, 2026

The California J-1 Visa Waiver Program facilitates physician placement in shortage areas, prioritizing rural and underserved locations for the Conrad 30 program. The 2025-2026 application cycle is closed, with ongoing guidance and support for primary care and psychiatry specialties. Recent program updates include process changes and documentation requirements for applicants. Key contacts: J-1 Visa Waiver Coordinator J1VisaWaiverProgram@hcai.ca.gov Event schedule: - 2025-2026 Conrad J-1 Visa Waiver application cycle close

This document sets the 2025 California regulatory standards for seismic safety in hospital buildings, with significant attention to rural, small, and financially distressed hospitals. The Small and Rural Hospital Relief Program, administered by HCAI, includes targeted seismic safety grant opportunities intended to prevent hospital closures in vulnerable rural communities. Deadlines for seismic safety compliance, financial hardship criteria, and extension provisions are newly defined for 2025 and beyond.