Georgia

This Funding Opportunity Announcement launches Budget Period 1 of the GREAT Health Program under the Rural Health Transformation Program. Eligible rural hospitals that signed an LOI for the AHEAD model can apply for up to $750,000 to support their migration to the new payment system and related innovations. The opportunity prioritizes modernizing technology, workforce, care models, and strategic partnerships. Key contacts: GREATgrant@rsmus.com Event schedule: - Application Portal Opening - 05/15/2026 - Application Portal Closing - 06/15/2026

This opportunity from the Georgia Department of Community Health aims to expand and coordinate continuing education access for rural healthcare providers by competitively awarding funds to a qualified organization for the delivery, scheduling, and advertising of at least twelve CE courses yearly. Funding will cover participant registration, course materials, instructor and staff fees, and equipment to overcome barriers faced by rural providers. Applications are due by January 30, 2023, for a four-year cycle. Key contacts: Joanne Mitchell jmitchell@dch.ga.gov Event schedule: - Grant application release date - 11/30/2022 - ET - Deadline for questions - 12/06/2022 - 3:00 PM ET - RFGA.Coordceprgms@dch.ga.gov - Responses to questions posted - 12/09/2022 - ET - www.dch.georgia.gov/grant-announcements - Deadline for submission of grant applications - 01/30/2023 - 3:00 PM ET - RFGA.Coordceprgms@dch.ga.gov

Georgia’s GREAT Health Initiative 3 aims to connect rural hospitals and health providers through statewide telehealth enhancements using a three-hub networked model. The program will modernize digital infrastructure, expand specialty and behavioral health access, and build workforce capacity to improve care for rural populations. Specific outcome goals target maternal health, reduced ED utilization, and increased preventive care integration. Event schedule: - Implementation Start - Governance and Collaboration - 01/01/2026 - Georgia - Public release/application snapshot - April 22, 2026 - GREATHealth.georgia.gov

Georgia submitted a comprehensive application to the CMS Rural Health Transformation Program seeking over $1.4 billion for 29 projects in 126 rural counties. The five-part GREAT Health initiative targets payment reform, care integration, EMS, telehealth, workforce, and technology upgrades. Hospital and EMS support, maternal and behavioral health, and extensive infrastructure improvements are central to the plan, pending federal award. Key contacts: Keri Conley Event schedule: - RHTP Application Submitted - 11/04/2025 - Georgia Department of Community Health - CMS Award Decision Deadline - 12/31/2025 - Project Implementation Begins - Early 2026

Event schedule: - GREAT Health Funding Opportunity Announcement The information provided below is intended to assist eligible applicants with developing and submitting applications within the GREAT Health Application Portal. This funding opportunity is for Budget Period 1 of the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, which runs from the date of award through , 2026. All funds awarded from this announcement must be spent by September 30, 2027. For assistance with this application, please contact GREATgrant@rsmus.com with questions. Funding Initiative 5: Leveraging Technology in Support of Healthcare Opportunity: Innovations in Rural Georgia Strategy: Workforce Retention Technology Application Portal Round: 4 Tier: 2 Information Opening: June 15, 2026 Closing: July 15, 2026 Funding Amount and $2,000,000 per award At least 1 award available Number of Awards: Funding This funding opportunity is available to rural hospitals in Eligibility: Georgia serving the 126 rural/partial rural counties defined as the eligible rural area under the GREAT Health Program in the Georgia Department of Community Health’s application to CMS. Hospitals previously submitting a signed Letter of Intent for Achieving Healthcare Efficiency through Accountable Design (AHEAD) model pre-implementation to the Georgia Department of Community Health will receive priority in the application process. Only hospitals with technology-ready facility space will be considered eligible for funding. Description and The Workforce Retention Technology Grant is designed to Purpose of Funding: strengthen rural surgical workforce recruitment and retention This Funding Opportunity Announcement solicits applications for a Grant award pursuant to the GREAT Health Program and Notice of Award for such program issued to DCH by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Grantee shall comply with all applicable law, regulations and policies pertaining to the Grant award, deliverables pursuant to the Grant award, and Grantee’s responsibilities thereto. Additionally, Grantees will be required to execute the GREAT Health Grant Award Terms and Conditions and abide by the provisions of the GREAT Health Program’s Policies and Procedures Manual. This funding opportunity is intended to guide prospective applicants seeking funding through GREAT Health. This document is not exhaustive, binding, or final. The requirements set forth herein override all other guidance documents specifically related to this program. DCH reserves the right to fund all, part, or none of the submitted applications. - October 30 - h. Support secure network connectivity for software updates and technical support i. Meet applicable cybersecurity and data protection requirements j. Include a manufacturer warranty k. Include a maintenance and service plan covering at least the initial period of funding l. Be readily available for use with secured human capital that does not need to travel into the community on a preset schedule to operate Applicants must meet the following specifications related to the operating environment: a. Maintain a CMS and Joint Commission or Det Norke Vertias-accredited operating room for procedures using the proposed robotic surgery equipment b. The operating room must have the necessary electrical infrastructure c. Environmental conditions meet manufacturer requirements Applicants must: a. Show evidence of clinical need for a surgical robot; ie. a minimum annual surgical volume for financial viability and readiness (expected volume of at least 3-5 cases/week, ~120/year), historical referrals out of the community, pro forma analysis of patient demand in the region, referral pattern analysis and projection, procedure billing and coding analysis and projection, etc. b. Have at minimum one employed or contracted surgeon on site that either (1) is currently trained and certified on the proposed equipment or (2) is committed to pursuing training and certification within the period of funding and is in good standing with the Georgia Composite Medical Board This Funding Opportunity Announcement solicits applications for a Grant award pursuant to the GREAT Health Program and Notice of Award for such program issued to DCH by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Grantee shall comply with all applicable federal law, regulations and policies pertaining to the Grant award. Additionally, Grantees will be required to execute the GREAT Health Grant Award Terms and Conditions and abide by the provisions of the GREAT Health Program’s Policies and Procedures Manual. This funding opportunity is intended to guide prospective applicants seeking funding through GREAT Health. This document is not exhaustive, binding, or final. The requirements set forth herein override all other guidance documents specifically related to this program. DCH reserves the right to fund all, part, or none of the submitted applications. - by supporting the acquisition and implementation of robotic surgical technology in rural hospitals. This technology will expand local access to care and reduce travel barriers for patients in rural communities and is intended to support current and future rural Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs. This grant will award $2,000,000 to invest in and implement robotics surgical equipment to retain and recruit surgical talent, including current and future residents and fellows. All funds must be fully expended by , 2027. Additional Information Funding is approved for Year 1 GREAT Health funding. and Guidance for Applicants are required to follow application instructions Application within the application portal and address requirements listed Development: within this funding opportunity. Applicants must identify a vendor prior to the budget approval for the disbursement of funds. The robotic surgery equipment must meet the following specifications: a. Be approved by the appropriate federal regulatory authority for clinical use in the United States b. Support multiple surgical specialties or procedures consistent with organization’s service line strategy c. Provide surgeon-controlled robotic instrumentation d. Include visualization and image capturing capabilities e. Supports recording and data collection capabilities f. Include a manufacturer-supported training and onboarding program for surgery personnel g. Be compatible with existing operating room infrastructure or require only minimal and minor upgrades as part of the technology implementation plan This Funding Opportunity Announcement solicits applications for a Grant award pursuant to the GREAT Health Program and Notice of Award for such program issued to DCH by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Grantee shall comply with all applicable federal law, regulations and policies pertaining to the Grant award. Additionally, Grantees will be required to execute the GREAT Health Grant Award Terms and Conditions and abide by the provisions of the GREAT Health Program’s Policies and Procedures Manual. This funding opportunity is intended to guide prospective applicants seeking funding through GREAT Health. This document is not exhaustive, binding, or final. The requirements set forth herein override all other guidance documents specifically related to this program. DCH reserves the right to fund all, part, or none of the submitted applications. - September 30 - h. Support secure network connectivity for software updates and technical support i. Meet applicable cybersecurity and data protection requirements j. Include a manufacturer warranty k. Include a maintenance and service plan covering at least the initial period of funding l. Be readily available for use with secured human capital that does not need to travel into the community on a preset schedule to operate Applicants must meet the following specifications related to the operating environment: a. Maintain a CMS and Joint Commission or Det Norke Vertias-accredited operating room for procedures using the proposed robotic surgery equipment b. The operating room must have the necessary electrical infrastructure c. Environmental conditions meet manufacturer requirements Applicants must: a. Show evidence of clinical need for a surgical robot; ie. a minimum annual surgical volume for financial viability and readiness (expected volume of at least 3-5 cases/week, ~120/year), historical referrals out of the community, pro forma analysis of patient demand in the region, referral pattern analysis and projection, procedure billing and coding analysis and projection, etc. b. Have at minimum one employed or contracted surgeon on site that either (1) is currently trained and certified on the proposed equipment or (2) is committed to pursuing training and certification within the period of funding and is in good standing with the Georgia Composite Medical Board This Funding Opportunity Announcement solicits applications for a Grant award pursuant to the GREAT Health Program and Notice of Award for such program issued to DCH by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Grantee shall comply with all applicable federal law, regulations and policies pertaining to the Grant award. Additionally, Grantees will be required to execute the GREAT Health Grant Award Terms and Conditions and abide by the provisions of the GREAT Health Program’s Policies and Procedures Manual. This funding opportunity is intended to guide prospective applicants seeking funding through GREAT Health. This document is not exhaustive, binding, or final. The requirements set forth herein override all other guidance documents specifically related to this program. DCH reserves the right to fund all, part, or none of the submitted applications.

Georgia’s GREAT Health Initiative 5 aims to fund workforce retention by integrating surgical robotics across rural hospitals to increase surgical complexity and improve outcomes. The program includes a multi-year timeline for grant process development, training, and technical assistance through 2031. Event schedule: - Determine candidate rural hospitals eligible for workforce retention technology investments - 01/01/2026 - Georgia - Develop grant process including eligibility criteria and selection framework - 04/01/2026 - Georgia - Disseminate grant opportunities to candidate rural hospitals - 07/01/2026 - Georgia - Review grant proposals submitted by hospitals - 10/01/2026 - Georgia - Make selection decisions for workforce retention technology awards - 10/01/2026 - Georgia - Purchase and distribute surgical robots - 10/01/2026 - Georgia - Train staff and providers at awarded hospitals - 01/01/2027 - Georgia - Provide ongoing training and technical assistance - 04/01/2027 - Georgia

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