Michigan

Michigan proposes a supplemental payment program for Medicaid-enrolled ambulance providers owned/operated by governmental entities such as counties, cities, and tribal governments. The program allows providers to receive reimbursement capped at actual allowable costs for emergency medical transports, calculated via state-approved cost reports. Participation is voluntary and contingent on CMS SPA approval, with payments reconciled annually based on submitted cost and claims data. Key contacts: John Klever kleverj@michigan.gov Event schedule: - Public Comment Due Date - 10/26/2026 - Proposed Policy Issuance - December 1, 2026 - Program Services Eligible Start Date - October 1, 2025

The Trump Administration awarded $106 million through the Rural Health Transformation Program to New York, Rhode Island, and Michigan. The funding aims to expand and modernize rural health care and strengthen the rural health care workforce in these states.

This document announces the award of Michigan RHTP subrecipient funding for the 2026 cycle across numerous rural health initiatives. Investments span health information technology, workforce pipeline, chronic disease, behavioral health, access, and tribal health projects in rural communities. Awarded organizations include health departments, universities, workforce agencies, tribal governments, and other rural-serving partners. Event schedule: - Award Notices As Of - 08/31/2026

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued a grant funding opportunity totaling approximately $12.25 million to establish a community navigator network to assist residents in retaining Medicaid and SNAP benefits. The program aims to build a coordinated network of nonprofit organizations statewide to increase support for Healthy Michigan Plan and SNAP enrollment and renewals. Key contacts: Lynn Sutfin Event schedule: - Pre-application conference webinar - 09/16/2026 - 10:30 AM ET - webinar at https://bit.ly/3Uy4Bi3 - Project director request deadline - 09/24/2026 - 5:00 PM ET - N/A - Grant application deadline - 09/30/2026 - 3:00 PM ET - EGrAMS system electronic submission

H.R.1 establishes the Rural Health Transformation Fund, providing $50 billion in funding from 2026 to 2030. States must prepare and submit transformation plans and will be responsible for annual reporting to CMS. Allowable activities cover provider payments, workforce development, technology innovation, behavioral health, and chronic disease management. Award distribution will follow a mix of equal shares and CMS discretion based on ruralness and application quality. Key contacts: Patti Boozang pboozang@manatt.com Event schedule: - CMS Releases NOFO - September 2026 - States Develop Applications - Q1 2026 - Application Due - CMS Makes Awardee Decisions - 12/31/2026

This document lists multiple resources and directories related to the Rural Health Transformation Program at the national level, including state contacts, application summaries, state application abstracts, and external tracking tools such as the KFF state plans map and UNC rural facility population estimates.

This strategy piece urges states to engage diverse rural stakeholders, invest in workforce and health system transformation, and tie RHTP funding to clear outcome metrics. It emphasizes the importance of sustainability, cross-sector partnerships, and innovative approaches in state applications. Concrete models such as hybrid global budgets, telehealth, and integrating social supports are encouraged, alongside transparent reporting. Event schedule: - Expected CMS Application Release - September 2025 - Expected State Plan Submission Deadline - November 2025

This July 2026 multi-state summary highlights a significant scale-up of RHTP implementation, with numerous states announcing major grant awards, new funding opportunities, council launches, and expanded workforce initiatives targeting rural hospital transformation. Event schedule: - Montana RHTP CoE Advisory Council Initial Meeting - August 6, 2026

This document summarizes state-level initiatives under RHTP targeting healthy aging in rural areas. States are implementing a range of programs including expanded digital access, regional transportation, telehealth dementia care, community paramedicine, and PACE expansion. Most initiatives aim to improve care integration, chronic disease prevention, and workforce capacity for older adults living in rural settings.

This expert perspective profiles multiple state initiatives leveraging the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) to expand and improve primary care access in rural communities. Initiatives include expanding clinic capacity, deploying telehealth and community paramedics, strengthening workforce pipelines, and supporting FQHC expansions. Most described efforts are in the planning and implementation phase, with awards targeting recipient organizations but few public amounts or dates specified. Event schedule: - , 2026 • By Rebecca Lopez, State Health and Value Strategies - September 4 - - Examples of Proposed State Efforts to Advance Primary Care - On CMS released a proposed rule Medicaid Program; Amending the Indirect Hold Harmless Threshold of Health Care-Related Taxes,… - July 21 - -

This independent policy analysis of RHTP funding estimates finds that allocations are not clearly aligned with areas of highest rural mortality or Medicaid reductions. While states with larger rural populations and hospital bed losses are projected to receive somewhat higher funding, differences are modest and generally disconnected from health need. Only a minority of states are projected to have RHTP funding offset their anticipated Medicaid cuts.

The document summarizes the background and timeline for the new Rural Health Transformation Program, including the $50 billion funding over five years beginning in 2026. It notes states are in early preparation stages to submit transformation plans by November 2025 and outlines key considerations for state planning and stakeholder engagement. Event schedule: - RHTP Application Deadline - 11/05/2025 - RHTP Award Notification Date - 12/31/2025

The document provides projected rural facility and population scores by state as estimated by UNC, which are used to determine funding levels in the CMS Rural Health Transformation Program. Visual maps and charts illustrate weighted score spectra across states.

The program emphasizes enhancing rural hospital sustainability and expanding access to high-quality care through partnerships and strategic initiatives. It leverages the MHA Keystone Center and Patient Safety Organization to support hospitals in safety and quality improvements.