Oregon

Oregon is launching the Oregon Rural Health Collaborative to facilitate regional convenings that will strengthen partnerships among rural healthcare and community organizations. The initiative aims to support technical assistance, planning, and implementation for RHTP funding opportunities and to help rural hospitals and clinics prepare for federal investment as Medicaid funding decreases. Eight regions have been formed based on geography and existing partnerships, with scheduled in-person and virtual meetings to drive collaboration. Key contacts: Sarah Andersen; Arianne Powell Event schedule: - Regional Convening (August/September 2026) - One venue in each region - Follow-up convenings (January-July 2027) - Four additional in-person meetings per region, plus virtual meetings

The RHT Program will invest $50 billion across all 50 states to transform rural health care from FY26-30. Funding supports innovation, workforce, technology, and sustainable access to care. Applications open mid-September 2025. Key contacts: MAHARural@cms.hhs.gov Event schedule: - NOFO release - September 2025 - grants.gov - Applicants Webinar - 09/19/2025 - Application deadline - early November 2025 - Awards announced - 12/31/2025

Oregon Health Authority is awarding over $97 million in new federal funding—part of a total $175 million—to support 136 new rural health projects across all counties in Oregon in 2026. The funds are distributed through both Catalyst Awards for large-scale, long-term improvement projects and Immediate Impact Awards for shovel-ready efforts, addressing critical needs including maternal/child health, behavioral health, workforce, and technology expansion. This is the state's largest single RHTP grant round since the federal program launched, aiming to sustain safety net providers and drive transformative improvements in rural health. Key contacts: Franny White franny.l.white@oha.oregon.gov Event schedule: - Award Announcement - 07/07/2026 - Oregon - Next progress report due (for 2027 funding)

Governor Tina Kotek submits Oregon's official application for the Rural Health Transformation Program, designating the Oregon Health Authority to oversee implementation and coordination. The application reflects strong stakeholder, Tribal, and public engagement, and commits to transparent governance through the Rural Health Coordinating Council. Funds will be targeted to rural and frontier areas, impacting rural hospitals, clinics, and community health centers. Event schedule: - Oregon Tribal Consultation/Urban Indian Health Program Meeting - 10/10/2025 - Oregon (OHA, Nine Tribes, Tribal Affairs Office)

Oregon Health Authority has released an RFGP (RFGP 6244) to solicit proposals for the 2027 RHTP Catalyst Grants. These grants will fund community-driven projects in rural and remote Oregon to improve health care access, chronic disease outcomes, workforce, and health technology. The solicitation includes amendments, information session dates, detailed application forms, and evaluation rubrics. Key contacts: John Gardner john.f.gardner@odhsoha.oregon.gov Event schedule: - Bid Opening Date - 05/26/2026 - 03:00:00 PM PT - Oregon Health Authority, Health Policy & Analytics, Portland, OR - Information Sessions Window - April 14-May 21, 2026 - Webinar (see program URL for details) - Available Date - 04/10/2026 - 03:00:07 PM PT

This detailed budget narrative outlines Oregon's plan for distributing RHTP funds across five major initiatives, including regional partnerships, healthy communities, workforce resilience, technology/data modernization, and tribal interventions. The program will proceed in two phases, utilizing Catalyst Awards, Immediate Impact grants, and Regional Sustainability funding in Phase 1, and competitive Catalyst Awards plus sustained funding in Phase 2. A structured RFA process will be used to select sub-grantees, with a focus on rapid deployment and community-directed innovation for priority populations and health challenges.

Oregon receives $197.3M for Phase 1 of RHTP, supporting rural health system stabilization, catalyst awards, and tribal initiatives. RHTP launches the Catalyst Awards RFGP in April 2026 for 'ready-to-go' rural transformation projects, with eligibility spanning rural health providers and allied entities. Key priorities include maternal health, chronic disease management, behavioral health access, workforce resilience, and HIT modernization. Key contacts: rhtp@oha.oregon.gov; support.oregonbuys@das.oregon.gov; epro-support@periscopeholdings.com Event schedule: - Catalyst Awards RFGP Opens - April 2026 - OregonBuys - RFGP Webinar Series - Spring 2026 - Webinar

This strategic plan establishes an actionable and measurable roadmap for Oregon to reduce substance use disorders, increase access to treatment and recovery supports, and address health disparities across populations. It commits the state to performance benchmarks with annual progress reporting. A strong emphasis is placed on systems integration, data-driven decision-making, and the intentional inclusion of populations most at risk—including rural Oregonians. Key contacts: Reginald C. Richardson, PhD, ACSW, LCSW; Eric J. Bloch; Blue Valentine; Anthony Jordan Event schedule: - Target for reduced alcohol-induced deaths by 2025 - 2025-12-31 - America/Los_Angeles - Oregon - Target for reduced tobacco-related deaths by 2025 - 2025-12-31 - America/Los_Angeles - Oregon - Target for reduced ATOD health disparities by 2025-2028 - 2028-12-31 - America/Los_Angeles - Oregon - Target for reduced economic burden by 2025 - 2025-12-31 - America/Los_Angeles - Oregon - CADC exam (Larry Howell) - 2024-01-XX - OHP telehealth model transition for hepatitis C - 2024-01-XX

Oregon is launching a five-year, $1 billion Rural Health Transformation Program to modernize rural healthcare statewide. The strategy includes major investments in workforce, technology, access, partnerships, and financial sustainability, with specific set-asides for the nine Federally Recognized Tribes. Rural and frontier communities face higher rates of chronic disease, behavioral health needs, maternal health shortages, and financial instability, which the program directly targets. Key contacts: OHA Office of Tribal Affairs; Rural Health Coordinating Council Event schedule: - Nutrition CME/CE policy planning complete - 09/30/2026 - EMS Compact legislative action complete - 09/30/2026 - EMS Compact enactment target - 12/31/2027 - Nutrition CME/CE regulations finalize - 12/31/2028 - End of agreement period - FY 2031 - Pre-award public comment period - 2025-08-01 - America/Los_Angeles - Virtual and Oregon Rural Health Conference - Phase 1 start (Catalyst awards, Immediate Impact, Regional Sustainability) - 2026-07-01 - America/Los_Angeles - Oregon statewide - Phase 1 end - 2027-06-30 - America/Los_Angeles - Oregon statewide

Oregon is awarded $197.3M for RHTP in fiscal year 2026 as the initial year of a five-year CMS rural transformation initiative. The state strategy includes five major initiatives—regional partnerships, healthy communities, workforce development, technology/data modernization, and a tribal-specific initiative. Implementation will use both competitive (Catalyst Awards) and direct (Immediate Impact Awards) approaches, with public engagement and rigorous oversight. Key contacts: rhtp@oha.oregon.gov Event schedule: - CMS announced Oregon RHTP award - 12/29/2025 - OHA submitted revised budget - 01/30/2026 - CMS approved revised budget - 02/18/2026 - Catalyst Awards RFGP Opening (Target) - 04/01/2026 - Immediate Impact Awards Announcement (Expected) - Annual Report to CMS #1 Due - 08/30/2026 - Quarterly Report #1 Due to CMS - 11/29/2026 - Vendor Roadshow at Rural Health Conference - 10/01/2026 - Oregon (exact date/venue TBA)

Oregon’s RHTP strategy aligns with CMS strategic goals to promote innovation, workforce, access, and technology for rural health transformation. $100 million federal annual allocation is projected if awarded, supporting a portfolio of initiatives in prevention, workforce, technology, partnerships, and systems. Public comment and ongoing tribal consultation are shaping priorities, with strong focus on regional tailoring, immediate impact and sustainability, and addressing critical access, workforce, technology, behavioral health, and maternal health needs.

This document announces the first RHTP public forum in Oregon and outlines the state's transformation plan framework and proposed initiatives. It summarizes strategic goals, core focus areas, public comment learnings, priority health needs, and planned program phases (Fast Track in FFY 2026 and Sustain/Grow for FFY 2027+). The forum seeks feedback on concrete initiatives, with details for stakeholders to participate via survey. No awards have yet been announced. Key contacts: OHA RHTP Program Team rhtp@oha.oregon.gov Event schedule: - OHA RHTP Public Survey Open - 10/08/2025 - https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HPA/HP/Pages/rural-health-transformation.aspx - OHA RHTP Public Survey Close - 10/15/2025 - 11:59 PM PT - Online - Nine Tribes Consultation/Confer - 10/10/2025