Kansas

Kansas was awarded $221 million from CMS to support the first year of the RHTP, with nearly $80 million sub-granted to 39 organizations through RPGP and REH/CAP grants. RHTP grant opportunities support rural hospitals, clinics, FQHCs, behavioral health providers, and long-term care facilities in Kansas to implement quality improvement, technology, and workforce development projects. Kansas is actively launching several RHTP initiatives, including infrastructure payments, technology adoption, and evidence-based practice support. Key contacts: KDHE Rural Health Transformation Program Office [email protected] Event schedule: - Emerging Technology Application Live - 06/10/2026 - CT - Online portal - Emerging Technology Application Close - 07/10/2026 - CT - Online portal - Emerging Technology RFA Webinar - 06/22/2026 - 1:00 PM CT - Webinar link - Interfacility Transport Project Application Close - 07/31/2026 - CT - Online portal - Interfacility Transport Project Award Announcement - 08/28/2026 - CT - EBP Program Introductory Webinar - 03/30/2026 - 12:00 PM CT - Webinar - CHW + AFIM Webinar - 06/04/2026 - 12:00 PM CT - Webinar

The press release announces a significant increase in RHT Alliance membership, signaling growing state engagement as states move from RHTP planning to execution. It highlights Kansas's participation in this transition, reflecting momentum in rural health transformation efforts.

Kansas RHTP advanced to the implementation phase, obligating over $100M in Year 1 across 5 initiatives and 24 programs designed to transform rural health care. Major sub-awards were made through competitive RFAs, including over $30M for REH/CAP (facility conversions and capital investments) and approximately $50M through the Regional Partnerships Grant Program to diverse providers. The program emphasizes chronic disease prevention, improved primary care access, behavioral health integration, workforce expansion, value-based payment, and health IT adoption, with updated progress and timelines for current and future years. Event schedule: - Notice of Award - 12/29/2025 - Revised Budget due to CMS - 1/30/2026 - Funds available to State for authorized expenditures - Q1 2026 - End of first reporting period - 07/31/2026 - Annual report & funding request for 2nd budget period due - 08/30/2026 - First budget period ends; agreements must be signed and personnel funds spent - 10/30/2026 - Second budget period funding announced - 10/31/2026 - All 1st budget period funds must be expended - 09/30/2027

This application template outlines KDHE's process for awarding Emerging Technology Program grants under the Kansas Rural Health Transformation Plan. The example budget narrative details categories and rationale for using advanced technology (e.g., AI clinical decision support platform) in rural healthcare settings. Applicants must align proposals to program goals, address sustainability, and provide robust project evaluation metrics.

The Kansas Rural Health Transformation Program (KRHTP) is a major state initiative with $221.9M federal funding for FY26 to strengthen rural health systems. The Emerging Technology Committee (ETC) leads Initiative 5, focused on harnessing data and technology—including AI—to improve rural health outcomes, access, and provider efficiency. Key milestones include development of an ETC workplan, regular meetings to build consensus, and collaboration on technology procurement, implementation, and guidance for rural providers statewide. Key contacts: Sheena L. Schmidt; Wyatt Beckman; Shelby Rowell; Janet Stanek Event schedule: - ETC #1 Kickoff Meeting - 06/04/2026 - 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. CT - Virtual - ETC #2 Charter Development - 06/18/2026 - 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. CT - Virtual - ETC #3 Technology Discussions - 07/09/2026 - 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. CT - Virtual - ETC #4 BioSTL Feedback - 07/29/2026 - 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. CT - In-person/Hybrid - ETC #5 Project Updates - 08/27/2026 - 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. CT - Virtual - ETC #6 Project Updates - 09/24/2026 - 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. CT - Virtual - ETC #7 Final Workplan Review - 10/22/2026 - 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. CT - Virtual - ETC Member Registration Survey Due - 06/16/2026

The Kansas Rural Health Transformation Program received $221.9 million in federal funding for FY2026, emphasizing the use of technology and data to improve rural health outcomes. An Emerging Technology Committee (ETC) was established to provide expert guidance on adoption of digital health and AI solutions in rural areas, with a focus on deploying ambient AI and supporting provider adoption. $6 million was allocated for ambient AI at Oracle-based rural sites with Great Plains Health Alliance as the initial partner; broader emerging technology grants are pending. Key contacts: Sheena Schmidt; Shelby Rowell; Wyatt Beckman; Tatiana Lin Event schedule: - Member Registration Survey Due - 06/16/2026 - CT - Next ETC Meeting - 06/18/2026 - 1:00 PM–3:00 PM CT - KHI (virtual meeting) - July In-Person Working Session - 07/29/2026 - Time TBD CT - KHI, Topeka - Work Plan Draft Due - 08/15/2026 - CT - Work Plan and Budget Finalized - 09/30/2026 - CT - BioSTL Global Innovation Summit - October 2026 - CT - BioSTL (St. Louis/planned event)

The document provides high-level CMS summaries of each participating state's FY26 Rural Health Transformation Program applications. No recipient-level awards are specified; only federal-to-state allocations are listed. Major themes include modernizing care, targeting maternal and chronic disease outcomes, and expanding telehealth and workforce programs.

The report analyzes the relationship between commercial reimbursement rates and the financial health of rural hospitals in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska. It finds that inadequate commercial rates, especially from dominant payers like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas, are a primary driver of rural hospital distress. Modeling shows that higher commercial reimbursements could shift hospitals from loss to positive margins, supporting essential rural healthcare services.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) leads the program with coordination from the Kansas Rural Health Innovation Alliance and other partners. The program framework includes five key initiatives: expanding prevention programs, securing local primary care access, building a sustainable rural health workforce, enabling value-based care, and harnessing data and technology. Event schedule: - Application submission - 11/03/2025

Key projects include a centralized credentialing verification pilot to streamline provider onboarding and reduce administrative burden, revenue improvement programs to optimize rural hospital finances, and multiple workforce initiatives to support rural medical student rotations, nurse residency, behavioral health apprenticeships, and health science training for K-12 students. The plan emphasizes sustainability, scalable models, and local workforce pipelines for improved patient outcomes and retention. Key contacts: Shannan Flach sflach@kha-net.org; Jaron Caffrey jcaffrey@kha-net.org; Terry Siek tsiek@kha-net.org; Jennifer Findley jfindley@kha-net.org Event schedule: - CCV Pilot Project RFP Due Date - 08/04/2021 - Kansas All Payers Scorecard Program RFP Due Date - 07/31/2021 - CFO Mentoring and Financial Leadership Support Program RFP Due Date - 07/29/2021 - Revenue Support Program RFP Due Date - 07/30/2021