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Iowa

Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) announced the state submitted its application to CMS for the Rural Health Transformation Program. The proposal, titled Healthy Hometowns, is aimed at building a high-quality, sustainable system of care that improves the health, well-being and quality of life in rural communities across the state. Healthy Hometowns is Iowa's strategic response—developed in collaboration with rural hospitals, health systems, and community partners—to address these challenges through a hub and spoke model of care. More information about Iowa's Rural Health Transformation proposal, including its application, is available online.  

Also in Iowa, the Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) launched a new funding opportunity to help communities across the state respond to the opioid crisis. This funding comes from HF 1038 passed earlier this year, which directs 75% of Iowa's opioid settlement money toward efforts to reduce opioid misuse and its impacts.  

The Iowa HHS will allocate this funding through a competitive application process. There will be two rounds of funding: one starting now and another in the spring. Each project can receive up to $1 million, with $7 million available in each round. 

Projects must focus on one or more of the following goals:  

  • Identifying and addressing needs in communities affected by opioids. 
  • Using proven or community-based methods to support people impacted by opioid use. 
  • Working with local service providers to improve recovery outcomes. 
  • Promoting the use of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and distributing overdose reversal drugs (OORM). 
  • Respecting the privacy and dignity of people receiving services. 
  • Using data to show results and improve services. 

For more information or to apply, visit: https://www.iowagrants.gov/viewStorefrontOpportunity.do?OIDString=1758745329639%7COpportunity 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

2026-03-10T14:55:41-04:00November 7, 2025|Iowa, RH|

Wyoming

The state announced the submission of its application to CMS for the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program. The application outlines the state's plan to use the funding to address the biggest health challenges identified by rural Wyoming communities through 11 local town hall meetings and prioritized through an online survey with over 1,300 responses.  

Also in Wyoming, Gov. Mark Gordon (R) recently issued Executive Order (2025-07) directing the Department of Family Services (DFS) to begin the process of submitting a waiver request to restrict the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for the purchase of certain foods that offer little or no nutritional value, such as sugary beverages and candy. 

Finally in Wyoming, Gov. Mark Gordon (R) recently declared a Public Welfare Emergency and issued an Executive Order (2025-08) authorizing up to $10 million in state emergency funds to ensure Wyoming families continue to have access to food if federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) dollars run out due to the federal government shutdown.  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.

2026-03-10T15:13:48-04:00November 7, 2025|RH, Wyoming|

Alaska

NACDS is working collaboratively with the Alaska Pharmacy Association to ensure pharmacists and pharmacies are included in the Rural Health Transformation Program funding.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

2026-03-10T14:44:42-04:00October 10, 2025|Alaska, RH|

Washington

The Department of Health (DOH) issued a COVID-19 Vaccine Standing Order authorizing health care providers to administer the most updated versions of the COMIRNATY, MNEXSPIKE, SPIKEVAX and NUVAXOVID COVID-19 vaccines to all persons aged 6 months and older, including pregnant individuals. 

Also in Washington, the Health Care Authority is continuing to solicit Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) input through September 26 at 5:00 pm Pacific time. Written comments are limited to 10 pages or less. Slides or other formats are welcome. Specifically, they want to meet the needs of Washington's rural communities:  

  • Projects with an implementation plan that are ready to launch soon  
  • Input about community needs and regional trends  
  • Recommendations for leveraging RHTP funds  
  • Initiatives to transform rural health care delivery  
  • Opportunities to support workforce, infrastructure and technology  

Finally in Washington, Gov. Bob Ferguson (D) joined the Oregon, Hawaii and California governors known as the West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA), announced coordinated winter virus vaccination recommendations to include the 2025–26 COVID-19 vaccine, influenza and RSV.  

For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.

2026-03-10T15:12:09-04:00September 26, 2025|RH, Washington|

Mississippi

Please note survey open for public input on development of Rural Health Transformation Plan. On July 3, Congress passed via the FY 2025 budget reconciliation process H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA). Section 71401 of the Bill modifies Section 2105 of the Social Security Act and establishes a $50 billion grant program ($10 billion per fiscal year for FY 2026 – 2030) for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to distribute payments to the 50 states through the Rural Health Transformation Program. Applications to participate in the grant program must be approved by the HHS Secretary no later than December 31, 2025.

The Office of the Governor, in coordination with the Division of Medicaid (DOM) and the State Department of Health (MSDH), intends to solicit public input through a public survey and a stakeholder forum by the Office of the Governor, develop a Rural Health Transformation Plan (Plan) and submit a timely application for the grant funding. The Office of the Governor will make the final selection for initiatives included in the Plan.

Please complete the survey by 5:00 pm on August 14: Rural Health Transformation Program Stakeholder Survey

See the full Survey: https://medicaid.ms.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Attachment-E-Rural-Health-Transformation-Program-Stakeholder-Survey.pdf

To learn more visit: https://medicaid.ms.gov/rural-health-transformation-program/

For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.

2026-03-10T15:01:09-04:00August 7, 2025|Mississippi, RH|
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