Program Overview
The Louisiana Rural Health Transformation Program, led by the Department of Health and the Office of Rural Health Transformation, is actively implementing its first budget year with a structured plan focused on workforce development, value-based care, healthcare infrastructure, telehealth, interoperability, EMS, and rural health innovation. The program is administering competitive funding opportunities through August 2026, supporting rural clinician recruitment and retention, provider sustainability, care models, Medicaid alternative payment models, technology modernization, capital improvements, and food-as-medicine initiatives. Program governance and stakeholder engagement continue to expand, anchored by an advisory council and cross-sector partner collaboration. Current structured plan tracks 15 key initiatives and 16 strategic goals.
Updated
County-level estimates averaged across Louisiana — % of adults 18+ unless noted. Delta vs US county average shown in red/green.
pp = percentage points vs US county average
County Drilldown (64)
| County | Pop | Poverty | Uninsured |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Baton Rouge Parish | 452,938 | 19.6% | 13.7% |
| Jefferson Parish | 430,920 | 16.6% | 12.9% |
| Orleans Parish | 371,853 | 22.6% | 16.6% |
| St. Tammany Parish | 272,421 | 11.4% | 8.8% |
| Lafayette Parish | 247,997 | 17.1% | 12.6% |
| Caddo Parish | 230,004 | 22.4% | 17.6% |
| Calcasieu Parish | 207,088 | 17.4% | 12.6% |
| Ouachita Parish | 158,480 | 23.2% | 18.4% |
| Livingston Parish | 148,115 | 12.9% | 10.2% |
| Tangipahoa Parish | 136,738 | 19.2% | 14.0% |
| Ascension Parish | 130,314 | 10.3% | 8.0% |
| Bossier Parish | 129,789 | 15.9% | 10.3% |
AI source: LA - 2026 - LOUISIANA RHTP
AI auto-updated Sep 23, 2026
API refreshed May 7, 2026
Key signals are summarized here. Open the source for the supporting detail.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Grouped files
3 related documents
LA - 2027 - Louisiana Department of Health - RHTP Overview
Auto-grouped context match (37%)
739,197 rural residents
Louisiana's RHTP remains in active implementation, with $12.7M Year 1 Rural Clinician Credit Bank funds awarded and multiple Year 1 funding application periods closed. Application review and scoring are complete, Notices of Intent to Contract are being announced, and annual reports have been submitted to CMS. EHR Voucher guidance is published for FY27, vendor registration is open, and Year 2 application periods are being scheduled. Stakeholder engagement, site visits, and strategic funding initiatives continue across several active program streams. State opportunities: 1 active (1 open, 7 past/closed), $15.2M listed funding. Key opportunities: Louisiana Rural Tech Catalyst Fund (RTCF) Launch; Rural Clinician Credit Bank: Recruitment & Retention Funding for Rural Louisiana Providers; Rural Health Facilities Capital Improvement Program. Strategy alignment: supports workforce, telehealth, prevention priorities.
Louisiana’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), led by the Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability within LDH and overseen by the RHTP Advisory Council, utilizes phased multi-year investments targeted to rural health access, quality, workforce, technology modernization, and financial sustainability. The strategy is informed by data-driven needs assessment and regional targeting, with both direct and competitive funding to address workforce shortages, modernize health IT, support value-based Medicaid models, upgrade facilities, and advance preventive and innovative care models. Annual CMS reporting and measurable CMS commitments structure transparency and progress tracking.
Model
A centrally coordinated, multi-initiative program led by LDH’s Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability, organizing funding via both direct and competitive mechanisms—including employer-match incentives and regional targeting—and structured around five transformation strategies. Primary initiatives include the Rural Clinician Credit Bank, Rural HERO pipeline, EHR Voucher Program, provider consortia, Medicaid alternative payment models, broadband and telehealth expansion, tele-EMS, capital improvements, prevention/nutrition partnerships, and regional care navigation, all under Advisory Council oversight.
Key Initiatives (15)
Timeline: Program operates January 2026–September 2031 with staged funding, annual application/reporting cycles, and periodic competitive award cycles per NOFO. Year 1 applications and reports are timed for June–August 2026, with review, award, and quarterly/annual milestones each year.
Focus on recruiting and retaining rural healthcare clinicians to strengthen local health systems.
Supporting collaborative provider models to expand specialist access and optimize limited staff resources.
Building infrastructure to support participation in value-based care among rural providers serving Medicaid members.
LA - 2026 - RHTP Advisory Council – August 20, 2026
RHTP Advisory Council Meeting Slides (Aug 20 2026)
LA - 2026 - RHTP Updates September 2026
LDH RHTP Updates Sept 2026 — Year 1 award recipients
Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability
Due Aug 14, 2026
2 related documents
LA - 2026 - Louisiana Landing Page (updated: September 26, 2026)
LDH RHTP program page - Important Dates
LA - 2026 - Regional Care Conveners and Navigation Networks Program Notice of Funding Opportunity
Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability
Due Aug 14, 2026
2 related documents
LA - 2026 - Food is Medicine (FIM) Programs Notice of Funding Opportunity
Food is Medicine NOFO (full text)
Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability
Due Aug 7, 2026
4 related documents
LA - 2026 - Louisiana Landing Page (updated: September 26, 2026)
LDH RHTP program page - Important Dates
| FY↓ | Awardee↕ | Amount↕ | Activity↕ | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Capital Improvement Program Funds capital improvements for rural health facilities to enhance infrastructure and expand access. | $41.6M | Flex Fund | |
| 2026 | Alternative Payment Model Implements alternative payment models for rural providers to incentivize value and quality of care. | $30.0M | Flex Fund | |
| 2026 | Rural Clinician Credit Bank Provides credits and incentives to rural clinicians to support workforce retention and recruitment. | $10.0M | Workforce | |
| 2026 | Telehealth Supports telehealth expansion among rural providers to improve service availability and patient access. | $4.7M | Health IT | |
| 2026 | Care conveners / navigation network Establishes care navigation supports for rural patients, improving access and coordination. | $3.5M | Quality Improvement | |
| 2026 | Collaborative Provider Model Promotes collaborative models for rural health providers, including care teams and partnerships. | $3.0M | Network Development | |
| 2026 | Food is Medicine Food-as-medicine initiative addresses nutrition and chronic disease prevention among rural populations. | $2.7M | Population Health | |
| 2026 | Ochsner Clinic Foundation Supports recruitment, hiring, and retention of rural clinical workforce across multiple parishes in Louisiana under Year 1 RHTP Rural Clinician Credit Bank. | $1.5M | Workforce | |
| 2026 | Outpatient Medical Center Supports rural clinician capacity and retention under Year 1 RHTP Rural Clinician Credit Bank. | $293K | Workforce | |
| 2026 | Winnsboro Medical Clinic Funds workforce recruitment/retention in rural settings under RHTP. | $116K | Workforce |
Announcement of the Louisiana Rural Health Transformation Program Advisory Council formation. The Advisory Council will support the state's efforts in rural health transformation.
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.
Event Schedule
Core Initiatives
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
Contacts
Core Initiatives
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
Louisiana received one of the nation’s largest RHTP federal awards, with $208M in Budget Year 1 and an anticipated $1.4 billion over five years. Sub-grant funding opportunities are open or in process for workforce, telehealth, capital improvements, care conveners, and food-as-medicine models. Governance structures and stakeholder engagement have ramped up, including creation of a new office, funding authority, monthly webinars, and robust collaboration with CMS. Key contacts: Ruralhealthtransformation@la.gov Event schedule: - Next monthly webinar - 09/03/2026 - 9:00 AM CT - Online - Next Advisory Council meeting - 11/05/2026 - 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM CT - House Committee Room 3, Louisiana State Capitol - Budget Year 1 Annual Report due - 08/31/2026 - Quarterly Report due - 11/29/2026
Event Schedule
Contacts
Core Initiatives
Louisiana launched its RHTP public data platform (RHTLA), offering up-to-date rural health and facility data down to the parish level. The program received a $208.4M federal Year-1 award and is organizing efforts into five key strategies including workforce, technology, financial sustainability, prevention, and innovation. Comprehensive needs assessment and a rural needs index inform strategic investments and funding plans.
Core Initiatives
Louisiana's RHTP distributed over $12.7M through its Rural Clinician Credit Bank in Year 1, funding 53 awards across 28 parishes with a strong focus on critical rural workforce and provider sustainability. The program also launched its EHR Voucher initiative, offering up to 75% reimbursement for rural provider EHR migration to ONC-certified systems and setting stage for application periods in 2026-2027. Parishes in the Acadiana corridor, Evangeline, and St. Landry received the most funding, reflecting targeted support for high-need rural regions. Key contacts: RuralHealthTransformation@la.gov; MAHARural@cms.hhs.gov Event schedule: - Budget Year 1 Annual Report submitted - 08/31/2026 - NCC Year 2 Continuation Request submitted - 08/31/2026 - Quarterly Report deadline - 11/29/2026 - CEAs due for signature - 09/15/2026 - Year 2 application period opens
Event Schedule
Contacts
Core Initiatives
The program has a total grant funding of $1.4 billion including a $208.4 million federal award for year one, and serves approximately 1.1 million rural residents statewide. It tracks committed outcomes with baseline measures targeting improvements in primary care receipt, specialty coverage, EMS response times, and tele-EMS low-acuity call resolutions.
Core Initiatives
This toolkit provides comprehensive, ready-to-use materials for stakeholders to communicate the new federal work or community engagement requirements taking effect for some Louisiana Medicaid members in 2027. The law affects a subset of Medicaid adults 19-64, with most members exempt. LDH will proactively notify impacted members and utilize state data sources to streamline compliance, minimizing additional paperwork. Key contacts: mymedicaid@la.gov Event schedule: - Member renewal notice mailing - May 2026 - Requirements Go Into Effect - 01/01/2027
Event Schedule
Contacts
Core Initiatives
Reference: Louisiana Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Advisory Council Link: https://www.kedm.org/kedm-news/2026-09-04/gov-landry-appoints-veneeth-iyengar-to-louisiana-rural-health-transformation-program-advisory-council?_amp=true
The program delivers funding across several strategic initiatives such as workforce recruitment and retention via the Rural Clinician Credit Bank, development of collaborative provider models, and investments in telehealth and physical infrastructure. Multiple application deadlines for these opportunities are set between June and August 2026. 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
Event Schedule
Core Initiatives
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
01/01/2027
Requirements go into effect
Federal work/community engagement requirements apply to certain Medicaid members.
08/2026
Toolkit release
Louisiana Department of Health releases toolkit and communications materials.
05/2026
Notice to affected members
Louisiana Medicaid mails notices to members up for January 2027 renewal.
07/2025
Federal law passed
In July 2025, Congress passed legislation requiring work/community engagement for Medicaid nationwide.
LA RHTP site updated — 1 new, 0 existing source(s) refreshed
LA RHTP site updated — 1 new, 2 existing source(s) refreshed
LA RHTP site updated — 1 new, 1 existing source(s) refreshed
LA RHTP site updated — 2 new, 0 existing source(s) refreshed
LA RHTP site updated — 1 new doc(s)
Spreadsheets, data exports, and reference documents — available for download but excluded from the main activity feed. Showing the 40 most recent of 82.
LA - 2026 - Louisiana Medicaid Work or Community Engagement Requirements General Communications Toolkit
2026 · PDF
LA - 2026 - Vendor
2026 · PDF
LA - 2026 - Louisiana Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Advisory Council
LA - 2026 - Authorized Product List (APL)
2026 · XLSX
LA - 2026 - Adobe Version
2026 · PDF
LA - 2026 - Excel Version
2026 · XLSX
LA - 2026 - APM Applicant Budget Template
XLSX
LA - 2026 - RHTP Budget Workbook FoodisMedicine
XLSX
LA - 2026 - Budget Workbook Care Convener
XLSX
LA - 2026 - Vendor Application
2025 · PDF
LA - 2026 - Collaborative Provider Budget Workbook
XLSX
LA - 2026 - Collaborative Provider Budget Workbook
XLSX
LA - 2026 - Budget Workbook Capital Improvement
XLSX
LA - 2026 - Budget Workbook Telehealth Infrastructure
XLSX
LA - 2026 - Vendor Agreement
2026 · PDF
FY22 Abbott Infant Formula Recall Guidance 2.22.22
2022 · PDF
LA WIC Annual Vendor Training 2022
2022 · PDF
LA WIC Vendor Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda - March 11, 2021
Louisiana Medicaid Eligibility Manual Charts Z–200: FEDERAL POVERTY INCOME GUIDELINES
2021-2026 · PDF
LA WIC Vendor Infant Formula Substitutes due to Abbott Formula Recall – 3/8/2022 Updates
2022 · PDF
Authorized WIC Vendor Policy Updates for Federal Fiscal Year 2024
2024 · PDF
2021-2023 Louisiana WIC Approved Foods List Changes
Temporary Increase in WIC Cash-Value Benefit for Fruit and Vegetable Purchase Amounts
Authorized WIC Vendor Policy Updates for Federal Fiscal Year 2022
2022 · PDF
LA - 2026 - Medicaid Work Requirements Communications Toolkit
2026 · PDF
LA - 2026 - Provider Flyer
LA - 2026 - Vendor Registration Instructions
LA - 2026 - Employer Flyer
LA - 2026 - Member Flyer
LA - 2023 - July 2023
2023 · PDF
LA - 2026 - Addition of Fresh Herbs to Approved Product List (APL) Memo
LA - 2026 - Expansion of Eligible WIC Cereal Package Sizes Memo
LA - 2026 - Offline to Online EBT Transition Updates Memo
LA - 2026 - APL Additions Effective October 1 Memo
LA - 2026 - Vendor Annual Training Presentation for FFY 2026
2026 · PDF
LA - 2026 - Price Look Up (PLU) Code List
2025 · XLSX
LA - 2026 - Program Guide
2025 · PDF
LA - 2026 - Program Monitors by Region and Parish Map
LA - 2026 - Labels
DOCX
LA - 2024 - Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) | Louisiana Department of Health
2024 · HTML
LA - 2026 - RHTP Budget Workbook FoodisMedicine
Budget workbook
LA - 2026 - Rural Medicaid Alternative Payment Model Program Notice of Funding Opportunity
Full Announcement (Version 1.a, revised June 29, 2026)
LA - 2026 - Collaborative Provider Budget Workbook
Initiative 3 APM Applicant Budget Template
LA - 2026 - Collaborative Provider Budget Workbook
Prior budget workbook (superseded)
Event Schedule
This Q&A document provides comprehensive guidance for prospective applicants to the Louisiana Rural Clinician Credit Bank, under the Rural Health Transformation Program. It clarifies allowable and unallowable uses of funds, eligibility rules, service obligations, and detailed budget/match guidance for workforce incentives. The RCCB supports workforce retention and recruitment in rural hospitals and clinics, emphasizing compliance with federal and state requirements. Event schedule: - Application Deadline - 06/25/2026 - CT - Louisiana Department of Health application portal - Rural Clinician Credit Bank Answers to Submitted Questions - 2026-05-29
Core Initiatives
Louisiana will receive over $208 million through the Rural Health Transformation Program, one of the highest awards in the nation and top three in the Southeast. The program supports rural health transformation and Medicaid in Louisiana. 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 - Immediate Emotional Support - , 2026 - MAY 06 - LDH urges residents to practice safe swimming and water safety - , 2026 - MAY 04 - Louisiana water system grades show continued improvement in 2025 - , 2026 - APRIL 22 - LDH confirms measles case in Region 1 - , 2026 - APRIL 20 - Governor Landry, LDH Secretary Greenstein encourage residents to seek emotional support after Shreveport shooting
This document consolidates applicant questions for the Care Convener Program, supporting Louisiana's Rural Health Transformation Program. Applicants may serve multiple rural regions, and funding supports workforce, network development, data integration, outreach, and rural clinic infrastructure—including behavioral health clinics. School navigators may be embedded via partnerships, and value-based payment participation may be planned for the future. Event schedule: - Care Convener Program Answers to Submitted Questions , 2026 Eligibility is based on the service area. From more information on rural eligibility and determination, review the RHTP Rural Eligibility Definition and Meth...
Event Schedule
Core Initiatives
Louisiana submits a robust Rural Health Transformation Program (LA RHTP) application to CMS to comprehensively transform rural health systems for Louisiana’s 1.1 million rural residents. The strategy centers on workforce expansion, digital modernization (including a statewide shared CMS-certified EHR), innovative payment reform, community collaboration, and targeted population health efforts for chronic disease, maternal health, behavioral, and cancer priorities. The plan details proposed investments of $485M over five years for workforce, technology, care delivery, and financial stabilization.
Event Schedule
Core Initiatives