The program includes funding for a new four-year medical school, creation of Hope Centers combining healthcare and social services, expansion of mobile health units and telehealth, and support for workforce development and value-based care adoption. The plan prioritizes evidence-based projects to address rural health disparities and improve outcomes for nearly 40% of the state's population living in rural areas. Key contacts: govcomm@delaware.gov
The State of Delaware has issued Requests for Proposals for four Rural Community Health Hub initiatives under the Rural Health Transformation Program. The RFP is in the active proposal and vendor Q&A phase, with implementation details, funding guidance, and program metrics clarified for applicants. Award decisions are pending final proposal selection and contracting processes. State opportunities: 4 active (4 open). Key opportunities: Delaware Rural Medical School Start-up Funding; RHTP Food Is Medicine Infrastructure; RHTP Rural Community Health Hubs. Strategy alignment: supports workforce, prevention, care access priorities.
RHTP Strategy
Delaware is advancing projects through competitive funding focused on access, prevention, chronic disease management, and workforce development to create lasting healthcare capacity in rural communities.
Model
Integration of new medical education, school-based services, food as medicine, and mobile health units with telehealth innovations to directly reach rural residents.
Key Initiatives
1Four-year medical school startup funding
2School-based health centers in rural schools
3Food Is Medicine infrastructure development
4Rural community health hubs with mobile health units
Timeline: Multi-year program with rolling release of RFPs, initial funding announced February 9, 2026, additional funding opportunities expected in spring 2026
Health Priority
Access to Care: Rural residents face barriers due to limited primary care availability, long emergency room wait times, and transportation challenges. (Regions: Kent County, Sussex County)
May 30, 2026
Health Priority
Workforce Development: There is a critical need for a sustainable rural healthcare workforce, addressed via medical school establishment and targeted training/incentives. (Regions: Statewide)
May 30, 2026
Health Priority
Innovative Care and Technology: Telehealth and remote monitoring technologies are prioritized to enhance care delivery in rural and remote locations. (Regions: Rural Kent County, Rural Sussex County)
Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health
Due Apr 17, 2026
8 related documents
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DE - 2026 - State of Delaware Opens Initial RFPS to Transform Rural Health Care - State of Delaware News
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DE - 2026 - Delaware State Of Delaware RURAL COMMUNITY HEALTH HUBS Request For Proposal HSS HSS-26-062 For Division Of Public Health February 6, 2026 - Deadline To Respond – April 17, 2026 At
RFP - Professional Services
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Sample Professional Services Agreement Template – State of Delaware
Appendix D
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Sample Workplan Template
Appendix E
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Appendix F Project Cost Template
Appendix F
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RFP Attachments: Vendor Forms and Certifications for State of Delaware
Appendix C
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HSS-26-062 - Rural Community Health Hubs: Pre-bid Meeting Attendance March 20, 2026
Price/Budget Response
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DE - 2026 - Addendum #1 and Q&A for RFP HSS-26-062 Rural Community Health Hubs
The 2026 RHTP School-Based Health Centers Expansion Initiative funds up to four new SBHCs in rural elementary and middle schools in Kent and Sussex counties. The initiative allows phased implementation, supports comprehensive integrated services (including enhanced behavioral health models), and requires Medicaid billing for sustainability. Year 1 allocates $195,000 in total available funding, with future years contingent on rural health transformation program funds. Key contacts: Eddie Mui
Event schedule:
- Pre-bid Meeting - 03/12/2026 - 11:00 AM ET - N/A (meeting summary, location not detailed)
- Contract Start - 07/01/2026
- Year 1 Project End - 10/30/2026
Eddie Mui - Management Analyst III - Delaware Statewide
Core Initiatives
Expand access to integrated school-based health services in rural Kent and Sussex Counties
Support comprehensive models of care addressing physical, behavioral, and preventive health for students
Ensure sustainability through Medicaid billing, infrastructure support, and community partnerships
Application Documents (4)
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ApplicationNEWPDF2028
Delaware proposes a comprehensive Rural Health Transformation Plan targeting the critical workforce shortage, access gaps, and social determinants affecting rural Sussex and Kent Counties. Key initiatives include establishing rural Hope Centers for homeless and high-need residents, deploying a network of mobile health units, expanding school-based health centers, developing a new in-state medical school and residency programs, and leveraging health IT for improved connectivity and care coordination. The application demonstrates statewide legislative and provider alignment, with a focus on sustainable models, population health improvement, behavioral health access, and measurable performance outcomes. Key contacts: Noel Brennan
Event schedule:
- Legislation to expand Certificate of Need (CON) - 09/30/2026 - Delaware
- Legislation for telehealth parity drafted - 09/30/2026 - Delaware
- Nutrition CME regulation draft deadline - 03/31/2028 - Delaware
- Executive action: school fitness test by deadline - 12/31/2028 - Delaware schools
- Rural Medical Residency Recruitment Program - Program established and application process complete, Program opens for applications. - 2026-09-30
- Rural Medical Residency Recruitment Program - First awards distributed, with five year binding service commitments - 2027-09-30
- Healthcare Workforce Data Center Initiative - Develop requirements, staff Data Center - 2026-09-30
- Healthcare Workforce Data Center Initiative - Legislation to establish authority and funding; Engage stakeholders to determine key metrics - 2027-03-30
Summarizes FY26 RHTP applications and proposed strategies from 18+ states (AL–ME). Major themes include maternal/child health, chronic disease, rural workforce pipeline, telehealth, and care coordination. States propose multi-pronged interventions and policy commitments to transform rural hospital and Medicaid delivery systems. No explicit sub-awardee recipients or budgets given; document is a high-level CMS summary of state strategies.
Core Initiatives
Expand rural population access to quality, affordable care
Reduce maternal, infant, and chronic disease mortality
Modernize and integrate telehealth and health IT infrastructure
Show all initiatives (31)
Expand rural population access to quality, affordable care
Reduce maternal, infant, and chronic disease mortality
Modernize and integrate telehealth and health IT infrastructure
Recruit, upskill, and retain rural health workforce
Stabilize rural hospital and EMS financial viability
Advance evidence-based and value-based models
Promote population health and disease prevention
Empower rural residents to achieve healthy living goals through expanded population health solutions
Expand supply of care by growing rural workforce and spreading technologies to improve coordination
Strengthen and stabilize rural providers through workforce development and support
Improve healthcare access, quality, and outcomes through innovation, partnerships, and technology
Advance population health with clinical infrastructure and coordinated care
Ensure affordability and sustainability of rural care via value-based payments
Improve access to care through clinically integrated networks (CINs), community-based clinics in K-12 schools and college campuses, and mobile health care services, rural hospital improvements, and home visits.
Improve health outcomes through expansions of behavioral health services.
Improve chronic disease health outcomes such as reduced A1C and increased levels of hypertension management.
Expand technology to build remote monitoring and telehealth, expand electronic medical record (EMR) usage for pharmacists, and pilot innovative screening technologies for chronic disease management.
In FY 2025, Delaware received approximately $1.47 million from HRSA's Office of Rural Health Policy to address rural health care challenges including opioid response, health network strengthening, and quality improvements in rural hospitals. These awards target key counties addressing substance use and expanding rural health services.
Award: $1.5MPOPULATION_HEALTH · QUALITY_IMPROVEMENT · OTHER
Core Initiatives
Increase health care access in rural areas
Strengthen rural health networks
Improve quality of care in Critical Access Hospitals and small rural hospitals
Show all initiatives (5)
Increase health care access in rural areas
Strengthen rural health networks
Improve quality of care in Critical Access Hospitals and small rural hospitals
Enhance prevention and management of chronic conditions
Support opioid response and substance use disorder initiatives
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ReportHTML2026
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ReportPDF2021-2025
Families First network successfully implemented culturally tailored group prenatal care in rural Minnesota, resulting in high patient enrollment and satisfaction. The model improved collaboration among clinical and tribal health partners and demonstrated increased patient engagement and education. Transportation and childcare remain ongoing challenges, but the program is viewed positively by providers and community members.
Event schedule:
- End of Rural MOMS award period - August 2025 - MN
Reference Documents (7)
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ReferenceNEWHTML
This guide provides a collection of information related to the Rural Health Transformation Program for Delaware, including summary descriptions of projects, application materials, and funding opportunities. It serves as a resource hub but does not disclose specific award amounts or grant recipients.
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ReferenceNEWHTML
This page provides an overview and listing of Delaware-specific Rural Health Transformation Program funding and related rural health funding opportunities. It includes inactive and active programs as informational resources but does not provide award details or funding amounts.
Event schedule:
- Application Deadline: , 2026 - May 5 - Sponsor: AstraZeneca Foundation
- Application Deadline: , 2025 - Sep 30 - Sponsors: Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware, Delaware Community Foundation
- Application Deadline: , 2025 - Aug 31 - Sponsor: Delaware Health Care Commission
The program includes competitive grants for Delaware's first four-year medical school start-up, school-based health centers in rural areas, Food Is Medicine infrastructure, and rural community health hubs with mobile health units. The initiatives emphasize sustainable capacity building, workforce development, prevention, and innovative care delivery such as telehealth and mobile clinics. Additional RFPs will be released on a rolling basis.
Event schedule:
- Initial RFP Release - February 9, 2026 - bids.delaware.gov
- Additional RFP Releases - Spring 2026 - bids.delaware.gov
Documents predating or adjacent to the RHTP program — useful background, excluded from main activity feed.
DE - 2024 - Rural health for Delaware Overview - Rural Health Information Hub
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DE - 2026 - Delaware All HPSA Designations
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Attendance List for Food is Medicine Infrastructure Initiative Pre-bid Meeting and ESAR-VHP/HAN Pre-bid Meeting
Source Checks
Last checked
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Delaware State Of Delaware FOOD IS MEDICINE INFRASTRUCTURE INITIATIVE Request For Proposal HSS 26-060 For Division Of Public Health February 6, 2026 - Deadline To Respond – April 1
RFP - Professional Services
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Vendor Application Forms and Attachments for State of Delaware Solicitation
Appendix C
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State of Delaware Department of Health and Social Services Professional Services Agreement Template
Appendix D
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Sample Workplan Template Appendix E
Appendix E
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APPENDIX F PROJECT COST PROPOSAL
Appendix F
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Attendance List for Food is Medicine Infrastructure Initiative Pre-bid Meeting and ESAR-VHP/HAN Pre-bid Meeting
Price/Budget Analysis
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DE - 2026 - Addendum #1 to HSS 26-060 Food Is Medicine Infrastructure Initiative - Public Q&A
Addendum 1
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HSS-26-060 - Food is Medicine Infrastructure Initiative Submissions Received
Press Release
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DE - 2026 - Delaware State Of Delaware SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTER EXPANSION INITIATIVE KENT AND SUSSEX COUNTIES Request For Proposal HSS-26-064 For Division Of Public Health February 6, 2026 -
RFP - Professional Services
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Vendor Forms and Attachments for State of Delaware Solicitation
Appendix C
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State of Delaware Professional Services Agreement Template
Appendix D
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Sample Workplan Template
Appendix E
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APPENDIX F PROJECT COST TEMPLATE
Appendix F
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Pre-Bid Meeting Attendance and Requested Info on RFP for School-Based Health Center Expansion Initiative Kent and Sussex Counties
Price/Budget Response
SupportingPDF2026Award: $195K
DE - 2026 - Addendum #1 – HSS 26-064 SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTERS EXPANSION INITIATIVE: KENT AND SUSSEX COUNTIES
Addendum 1
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HSS-26-064 - SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTER EXPANSION INITIATIVE KENT AND SUSSEX COUNTIES
Press Release
Delaware's RFP solicits mobile and fixed rural health hubs to expand comprehensive evidence-based health services in Sussex and Kent counties, emphasizing outreach, workforce, data-driven equity, and sustainability. No awards made yet; this is a funding announcement. Key contacts: Rick Williamson Ricky.Williamson@delaware.gov; Eddie Mui DHSS_DMS_dmsprocure@delaware.gov; Rick Williamson Ricky.Williamson@delaware.gov
Event schedule:
- RFP Public Notice - 02/06/2026
- Deadline for Questions - 02/27/2026 - 4:30 PM ET
- Pre-Bid Meeting - 03/20/2026 - 1:00 PM ET - Microsoft Teams (Online), Wilmington, DE
- Response to Questions Posted - 04/03/2026 - Bonfire/Euna Portal & Delaware Bid Directory
- Proposal Deadline - 04/17/2026 - 1:00 PM ET - Euna Procurement Portal
- Estimated Notification of Award - 05/29/2026
Eddie Mui - <DHSS_DMS_dmsprocure@delaware.gov> - Management Analyst III, Contracts/Procurement - Statewide (Delaware)
Rick Williamson - <Ricky.Williamson@delaware.gov> - Division of Public Health Contact - Delaware
Core Initiatives
Expand access to comprehensive healthcare services in rural communities
Improve health outcomes through early detection and chronic disease management
Advance health equity through data-driven deployment
Show all initiatives (10)
Expand access to comprehensive healthcare services in rural communities
Improve health outcomes through early detection and chronic disease management
Advance health equity through data-driven deployment
Strengthen healthcare system integration and workforce capacity
Establish sustainable mobile health infrastructure
Support implementation of the Rural Community Health Hubs initiative in rural Sussex and Kent counties
Deploy, staff, equip, and operate mobile health units and brick-and-mortar hubs integrated with existing healthcare systems
Expand health infrastructure to deliver preventive, primary, behavioral health, specialty, and health education services
Increase access to care for rural, elderly, disabled, Native American, low-income, uninsured or underinsured populations
Ensure sustainability through quality improvement, billing strategies, partner engagement, and alignment with state priorities
Delaware is soliciting proposals to establish and operate at least four school-based health centers in rural Kent and Sussex County schools. The initiative targets persistent health and access disparities in children, aiming to advance comprehensive, sustainable school-based care. Key contacts: Rick Williamson Ricky.Williamson@delaware.gov; Eddie Mui DHSS_DMS_dmsprocure@delaware.gov; Rick Williamson Ricky.Williamson@delaware.gov
Event schedule:
- Public Notice - 02/06/2026 - ET
- Questions Deadline - 02/27/2026 - 4:30 PM ET
- Pre-Bid Meeting - 03/12/2026 - 11:00 AM ET - Microsoft Teams
- Response to Questions Posted - 03/27/2026 - ET
- Proposal Deadline - 04/10/2026 - 1:00 PM ET - Euna Procurement Portal
- Estimated Award Notification - 04/24/2026 - ET
- Estimated Project Start - 06/01/2026 - ET
POPULATION_HEALTH · QUALITY_IMPROVEMENT · OTHER · WORKFORCE · HEALTH_INFORMATION_TECHNOLOGY
Contacts
Rick Williamson - <Ricky.Williamson@delaware.gov> - RFP Designated Contact - Delaware Department of Health and Social Services
Eddie Mui - <DHSS_DMS_dmsprocure@delaware.gov> - Management Analyst III - Delaware Department of Health and Social Services
Rick Williamson - <Ricky.Williamson@delaware.gov> - Division of Public Health Contact - Delaware
Core Initiatives
Expand equitable access to school-based health services in rural communities
Deliver comprehensive physical, behavioral, and preventive services
Improve physical, behavioral, and preventive health outcomes among students
Show all initiatives (14)
Expand equitable access to school-based health services in rural communities
Deliver comprehensive physical, behavioral, and preventive services
Improve physical, behavioral, and preventive health outcomes among students
Strengthen care coordination between SBHCs and medical homes
Establish sustainable SBHC operations and infrastructure
Establish and operate a minimum of four new SBHCs in rural Sussex and Kent County elementary and middle schools
Deliver fully integrated physical, behavioral, and preventive health services within school settings
Coordinate care with existing medical homes and healthcare partners to ensure continuity of care
Recruit, train, and retain multidisciplinary SBHC care teams with appropriate clinical oversight
Maintain HIPAA-compliant health records and coordinate with Delaware Health Information Network for information exchange
Engage community partners, families, and school administrators to promote SBHC services
Participate in continuous quality improvement and performance measurement activities
Implement sustainable operational and billing strategies including Medicaid reimbursement
Integrate SBHCs into school and district support systems for long-term sustainability
Build a future where every community – no matter how small or remote – has access to high-quality, locally grounded care that is connected through technology, supported by regional collaboration, and sustained by a strong rural workforce.
Reduce preventable hospitalizations and emergency department visits year over year.
Improve health outcomes addressing heart disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, suicide, and maternal and child health outcomes.
Advance whole-person health through connected care technologies and coordinated pathways for behavioral health, chronic disease, maternal health, and social needs.
Promote sustainable access by focusing on the integration and comprehensive delivery of services leveraging technology and supporting the workforce.
Make Rural America Healthy Again through increased provision of primary care services, oral health services, and nutrition education.
Make Rural Texans Healthy Again: Reduce non-metro ratio of population to dieticians, increase remote patient monitoring (RPM), and increase AI-based automation.
Four Strategic Goals: Making Rural Utahns Healthy, Workforce Development, Innovation Preventative Action and Transformation for Health (PATH).
Build robust rural networks through enhanced primary care and long-term care support.
Food as Medicine – provide funds for food pharmacy and startup costs for food programs aimed at better health through innovative tools and prevention strategies.
Address the state’s higher rates of substance use disorder and staff turnover while expanding rural health networks and fostering partnerships.
Three Strategies: Addressing health-related barriers to workforce participation, establishing West Virginia as a center for rural health technology and partnership, and improving care access and healthcare system sustainability.
Interoperability Infrastructure and Modernization to transform the health of rural Wisconsinites supported by the right networks.
Majority population located in frontier areas with goals to increase technology adoption, improve access to care, build a durable rural workforce pipeline, and improve health outcomes.
The Delaware Rural Health Transformation Plan unites 15 initiatives to expand access, strengthen the workforce, modernize technology, and improve population health in rural Sussex and Kent Counties. The budget supports over $157 million in first-year expenditures, focusing on innovative models such as Rural Hope Centers to deliver integrated health and social services. Major emphasis is placed on sustainable infrastructure, workforce development, and health IT capability to address rural disparities. Key contacts: Katherine Hughes; Chelsea Kammermeier; Christopher Masten; Lakeesha Johns
Event schedule:
- CMS Rural Health Transformation Summit - 03/18/2026 - Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor, Baltimore, MD
- Period of Performance for Contracts - 2025-12-29 to 2026-10-30
- Rural Libraries Health Hub Program Operations & Staffing Period of Performance - 2025-12-29 to 2026-10-30 - Kent and Sussex Counties, Delaware
- Program Coordination, Training, and Technical Assistance Period of Performance - 2025-12-29 to 2026-10-30 - Delaware
- Program Evaluation & Reporting Period of Performance (Rural Libraries) - 2025-12-29 to 2026-10-30 - Delaware
- Rural Provider/FQHC Readiness Awards Period of Performance - 2025-12-29 to 2026-10-30 - Delaware
- Technical Assistance for Rural Provider/FQHC Value-Based Care Readiness Period of Performance - 2025-12-29 to 2026-10-30 - Delaware
- Program Oversight, Evaluation and Reporting (Value-Based Care Readiness) Period of Performance - 2025-12-29 to 2026-10-30 - Delaware
Katherine Hughes - Project Director, Public Health Administrator I - Statewide
Chelsea Kammermeier - Program Administrator, Public Health Program Treatment Administrator - Statewide
Christopher Masten - Fiscal Analyst, Management Analyst III - Statewide
Show all contacts (5)
Katherine Hughes - Project Director, Public Health Administrator I - Statewide
Chelsea Kammermeier - Program Administrator, Public Health Program Treatment Administrator - Statewide
Christopher Masten - Fiscal Analyst, Management Analyst III - Statewide
Lakeesha Johns - Clinic Manager - Statewide
Susan Watson Holloway - Program Director, Public Health Administrator II - Statewide
Core Initiatives
Expand access to comprehensive rural healthcare and behavioral health services.
Develop a sustainable workforce pipeline through new medical and clinical education programs.
Leverage technology for telehealth, data integration, and care coordination.
Show all initiatives (18)
Expand access to comprehensive rural healthcare and behavioral health services.
Develop a sustainable workforce pipeline through new medical and clinical education programs.
Leverage technology for telehealth, data integration, and care coordination.
Improve population health and chronic disease prevention.
Deploy mobile health units throughout rural areas to deliver preventive care, chronic disease management, and specialty services directly to underserved communities.
Expand the network of school-based health centers in rural Sussex and Kent elementary and middle schools to provide comprehensive physical, behavioral, and preventive health services.
Develop sustainable payment mechanisms, deploy integrated technology platforms, and train rural healthcare practitioners to deliver evidence-based nutrition interventions.
Expand health services at rural libraries with telehealth support and health navigation
Support rural providers and FQHCs to transition to value-based payment models
Develop and deploy consumer-facing remote monitoring and digital health solutions for rural populations
Launch a diabetes wellness pilot providing continuous glucose monitors and care management
Establish Delaware's first medical school with a Primary Care Rural Health track
Provide financial awards to medical students committing to rural practice in Delaware
Increase rural medical residency recruitment and retention
Expand training capacity for clinical support roles in rural areas
Enhance rural health workforce education and service commitment enforcement
Establish comprehensive healthcare workforce data center focused on rural areas
Develop statewide health IT infrastructure to streamline prior authorizations
Governor Meyer announced new major legislation to lower healthcare costs and strengthen patient protections, emphasizing affordability, access, and protections against for-profit hospital takeovers. The legislation includes expanded statewide standards for hospital charity care and a moratorium on for-profit acquisition of nonprofit acute care hospitals. The administration plans to leverage Rural Health Transformation Program funding to promote multi-payer value-based care.
Event schedule:
- News release date - 05/12/2026 - Dover, DE
FINANCE · QUALITY_IMPROVEMENT
Core Initiatives
Lower healthcare costs for Delawareans
Expand access to affordable health care
Protect nonprofit acute care hospitals from for-profit acquisition
Show all initiatives (4)
Lower healthcare costs for Delawareans
Expand access to affordable health care
Protect nonprofit acute care hospitals from for-profit acquisition
Advance multi-payer value-based care
POPULATION_HEALTH · OTHER
Core Initiatives
Increase access to prenatal care in rural and tribal communities
Enhance care coordination and build collaborative provider networks
Improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes
Show all initiatives (4)
Increase access to prenatal care in rural and tribal communities
Enhance care coordination and build collaborative provider networks
Improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes
Integrate culturally tailored education and supportive activities into prenatal care
This document is an Addendum and Q&A to Delaware's Rural Community Health Hubs RFP focused on mobile and brick-and-mortar health services for rural populations, funded under the federal RHTP. The Q&A covers allowable costs, program design requirements, eligibility, partnerships, reporting, performance metrics, and sustainability goals. There are no prescribed funding ceilings and both capital and operational expenses are allowable if they meet RHTP criteria. Key contacts: Rick Williamson Ricky.Williamson@delaware.gov
Event schedule:
- RFP Issuance - 2026 - State of Delaware
- Addendum #1 Release - 04/01/2026
- Vendor Questions Due (not explicit) - 02/27/2026
