Alabama

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is hosting a series of roadshow workshops in multiple locations across Alabama to inform stakeholders about the Rural Health Transformation Program and eleven statewide initiatives. These workshops aim to prepare applicants for the upcoming Notice of Funding Opportunities starting June 1, 2026. Event schedule: - Roadshow workshop Bay Minette - 05/26/2026 - 9:00-11:00 AM CT - Coastal Alabama Community College - Bay Minette Campus, Branch Building B - Room: 111 - Roadshow workshop Troy - 05/26/2026 - 5:30-7:30 PM CT - Troy University, Trojan Center - Lamar Higgins Ballroom - Roadshow workshop Gadsden - 05/27/2026 - 9:00-11:00 AM CT - Gadsden State Community College, Advanced Manufacturing Flex Lab - Roadshow workshop Florence - 05/27/2026 - 5:30-7:30 PM CT - University of North Alabama, Wesleyan Auditorium - Roadshow workshop Montgomery - 05/28/2026 - 9:00-11:00 AM CT - Alabama Center for Commerce, 7th Floor Auditorium - Roadshow workshop Livingston - 05/28/2026 - 5:30-7:30 PM CT - University of West Alabama, Bell Conference Center

In December 2025, Alabama was awarded $203 million for the first year of the Alabama Rural Health Transformation Program through a cooperative agreement with CMS. ADECA serves as the lead agency. This is a five-year program, with budget awards and program plans subject to annual review and update.

Alabama ADECA is hosting a series of roadshow workshops in May 2026 to provide detailed information about the RHT Program and the eleven state initiatives targeting rural health transformation. These sessions aim to prepare applicants for the upcoming NOFO release on June 1, 2026. Event schedule: - Roadshow Workshop - 05/26/2026 - 9:00 AM - Coastal Alabama Community College - Bay Minette Campus - Roadshow Workshop - 05/26/2026 - 5:30 PM - Troy University - Trojan Center - Lamar Higgins Ballroom - Roadshow Workshop - 05/27/2026 - 9:00 AM - Gadsden State Community College - Advanced Manufacturing Flex Lab - Roadshow Workshop - 05/27/2026 - 5:30 PM - University of North Alabama - Wesleyan Auditorium - Roadshow Workshop - 05/28/2026 - 9:00 AM - Gordon Persons Building - Auditorium - Plaza Level, Montgomery, AL - Roadshow Workshop - 05/28/2026 - 5:30 PM - University of West Alabama - Bell Conference Center

The Alabama Rural Health Transformation Program will address persistent healthcare disparities by investing in workforce development, telehealth, health IT, financial reform, and expanded access to critical services, including maternal health and emergency care. Over $125M is proposed for five years, focused on regional IT/cybersecurity hubs, telehealth networks, specialty care access, and coordinated workforce pipelines. The ARHTP targets Alabama's over 1.6 million rural residents and will align with legislative and regulatory changes to establish a sustainable, accountable rural healthcare ecosystem.

The document outlines a detailed timeline and phased approach for Alabama's Rural Health Transformation Program launch in 2025, including outreach, application, review, and award phases. Systems development milestones for application and monitoring portals are also highlighted. Event schedule: - Applications Due - 06/26/2025 - Initial Award Notifications - 07/17/2025 - Program Year 1 Reporting to CMS - 08/31/2026

This CMS summary document outlines FY26 Rural Health Transformation Program applications from numerous states, each proposing large-scale, multi-initiative plans to address access, workforce, health information technology, quality, and population health in rural and frontier communities. Strategic goals and spotlights include maternal health, chronic disease, digital modernization, telehealth, workforce expansion, and hospital stabilization. Proposed funding amounts per state range from ~$150M to over $270M, but are for reference only at the application stage.

The program is funded through a $203,404,327 award from CMS for the first year under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Alabama’s plan, approved by CMS, includes 11 strategic initiatives and is overseen by the Alabama Rural Health Transformation Advisory Group. ADECA administers the program in collaboration with multiple state agencies and stakeholders. Event schedule: - Announcement of CMS award and plan approval - December 29, 2025 - Montgomery

ADECA serves as the lead agency coordinating with multiple state departments and the Governor’s Office. The program received $203 million for its first year and includes eleven initiatives designed to transform rural health in Alabama. Workshops are held to provide detailed program information and updates. Event schedule: - ARHTP Roadshow Workshop - May 26-28, 2026 - Various locations including Montgomery (Gordon Persons Building)