Dive Brief:

The CMS launched applications for the new federal Rural Health Transformation Fund on Monday, giving states until Nov. 5 to apply for a piece of a $50 billion pie.

Under the program, the agency will dole out $10 billion each fiscal year to approved states for five years, beginning in 2026. The funds can flow to tackle a variety of challenges facing rural healthcare, from enhancing provider recruitment and retention to fostering the use of innovative technology.

Should states miss the narrow application window, they will lose access to the five year program entirely, CMS said in an FAQ released Monday . Funding decisions will be made by Dec. 31.

Dive Insight:

The healthcare industry has been eagerly anticipating details about the Rural Health Transformation Fund since J

See Full Page