The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) has announced a Request for Information to gather public input on the state’s plan to apply for and implement the federal Rural Health Transformation Program. The initiative is designed to address health care challenges in rural areas by focusing on technology use for chronic disease management and developing strategies to ensure the financial sustainability of rural hospitals.
The Rural Health Transformation Program will distribute $50 billion over five years among states that are approved for participation. If New Mexico's application is successful, the state expects to receive about $100 million annually for up to five years, with potential access to additional discretionary funding.
The HCA is inviting feedback from healthcare providers, patients, Tribal communities, associations, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders who have an interest in supporting rural health care. The aim is to help prioritize which areas should receive funding and determine strategies that would best sustain critical services throughout New Mexico.
According to program guidelines, funds from the RHT Program cannot be used as a replacement for state Medicaid funding or as compensation for lost revenue resulting from changes in federal policy. Not every eligible health-related activity will necessarily be funded through this program.
Public comments must be submitted before October 3. Further details can be found on the HCA Rural Health Transformation webpage at https://www.hca.nm.gov/rural-health-transformation-program/.
