South Carolina

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has announced a new $15M grant program to improve access to medical care in rural and underserved areas. Grants up to $3 million will support facility infrastructure targeting priority services such as primary care, maternal and infant health, pediatrics, and behavioral health. The program is funded by a one-time state appropriation consistent with the direction of the state's Rural Health Initiative. Key contacts: grants@scdhhs.gov Event schedule: - Application Due Date - 12/04/2023 - Award Notification - 02/02/2024

South Carolina awarded $48.2 million in one-time infrastructure grants to 26 recipients to improve rural healthcare facilities, focusing on primary care, maternal and infant care, pediatrics, and behavioral health. The program stems from legislative direction via the Rural Health Initiative to establish sustainable delivery models and capital improvements. Key contacts: Jeff Leieritz Communications@scdhhs.gov Event schedule: - , 2024 Contact: Jeff Leieritz For Immediate Release (803) 898-1719 Communications@scdhhs.gov SCDHHS Awards $48.2 Million in Healthcare Infrastructure Funds to Improve Access to Quality Medical Services in Rural and Medically Underserved Areas COLUMBIA, S.C. The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) today announced it has awarded 26 grants totaling $48.2 million to improve access to quality medical care. Launched in October 2023 , the grant provides one-time infrastructure funds to create or improve facilities in rural or medically underserved areas. The grant program focused on essential health care areas, including primary care, maternal and infant care, pediatrics and behavioral health. “ This grant program is a great example of how public-private partnerships can leverage funding and support innovative ways to meet the health care needs of our citizens,” said SCDHHS Director Kerr. “From investing in brick -and-mortar facilities to extending access to care through new technologies and telehealth, this funding will help improve access to both primary and specialty care in our communities that experience some of the greatest health challenges in our state. We appreciate the innovative solutions brought forth by our grant applicants and the support the General Assembly and Governor McMaster have entrusted in SCDHHS to help improve health outcomes in our state .” Grant awardees will receive up to $3 million in one-time infrastructure funds and must operate grant-funded facilities for a minimum of five years. SCDHHS is executing the grant program as additional attention is being drawn to access to care and health outcomes in South Carolina. A recent report by the Boston Consulting Group found that: • South Carolina ranked 38 th among states in primary care physicians per capita; • 9% more South Carolinians lived in a primary care physician health professional shortage area than the national average (38% vs. 29%); and • Residents living in more rural areas were somewhat more dissatisfied than others with health services in the state. A list of grant awardees and a brief description of each of the 26 projects that were awarded grant funds is available here on SCDHHS’ website . - Feb. 20 - The grant funds are drawn from one-time funding appropriated by the South Carolina General Assembly to SCDHHS for investment in infrastructure that will improve access to health care in communities consistent with the direction provided in the state’s Rural Health Initiative ( proviso 33.22 ). Through the initiative, the General Assembly directed SCDHHS to “establish a grant program for providers to implement sustainable delivery models or capital improvements to enhance access to health care services.” The application for this grant program is available on SCDHHS' website . About the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services provides health care benefits to nearly 1.2 million South Carolinians. The agency’s mission is to be boldly innovative in improving the health and quality of life for South Carolinians. ###

SCDHHS received a five-year, $200 million+ CMS-funded cooperative agreement for comprehensive rural health transformation. Multiple competitive sub-grant initiatives focus on IT modernization, chronic disease, workforce, and crisis response in rural South Carolina. SC will use RHTP to scale successful models, with all sub-awards and projects aimed at lasting improvement in rural population health and infrastructure.

The program offers funding through grants for four initiatives: Connections to Care, Wellness Within Reach, Leveling Up, and Shoring Up to Sustainability, each focusing on enhancing digital infrastructure, mobile care delivery, pilot program scaling, and sustainability investments. Grants are available to healthcare providers and community organizations with applications due June 1, 2026. Event schedule: - Grant application deadline - 06/01/2026 - submit via email to grants@scdhhs.gov - RHTP Grants Public Webinar - 03/24/2026 - online webinar (recording available)

South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) is soliciting applications for up to $15 million in one-time grant funding to build or improve rural and medically underserved area health facilities. No match is required. Focus areas include expanding access to essential health services, improving health equity, and supporting sustainable facility operations.

The Rural Health Transformation Program in South Carolina will fund four major initiatives for rural populations, totaling $169 million in federal investment. Awards focus on health IT, chronic disease, pop-up clinics, workforce, and technology innovation; applications are open for rural providers. Timeline milestones include application deadlines in June 2026 and completion by September 2027. Key contacts: SCORH Team info@scorh.net Event schedule: - Applications Due - 06/01/2026 - Award Notices - 07/31/2026 - Project Completion - 09/30/2027

South Carolina submitted a comprehensive RHT plan addressing rural health disparities with five integrated initiatives including digital infrastructure, mobile health units, and workforce strengthening. The state requests $1 billion federal funding to modernize rural healthcare, expand access, and build sustainability.

South Carolina's RHTP application requests $1 billion over five years to transform rural health outcomes via robust state-level initiatives. Funding will be competitively distributed through multiple programs including health IT modernization, mobile crisis response, facility upgrades, workforce incentives, and rural care expansion. Extensive oversight, compliance, and outcomes tracking are integral to the state's stewardship plan.

This CMS Office of Rural Health Transformation document summarizes FY26 Rural Health Transformation Program applications from multiple states, outlining proposed funding, core priorities, strategic initiatives, and policy actions to improve rural health access, workforce, delivery innovation, and quality/outcomes.

South Carolina proposes an ambitious, data-driven Rural Health Transformation plan centered on expanding digital health infrastructure (EHR, remote monitoring, telehealth), workforce initiatives, and financial stabilization for rural hospitals. Strategic efforts target improved access and chronic disease management for 1.75 million rural residents, with emphases on care coordination, maternal health, and cross-sector partnerships. Five flagship initiatives (e.g., Connections to Care) will modernize rural health systems and equip communities for sustainable transformation.

South Carolina is distributing $35 million in one-time infrastructure grants to hospitals for creating specialized emergency units for mental health crisis stabilization. The program aims to add 56 new crisis beds and 111 spaces to address emergency psychiatric needs. Funding is limited to infrastructure and does not cover staffing or service provision.

The document outlines an $800 million award over four years dedicated to transforming rural healthcare in South Carolina. Budget details include personnel, fringe benefits, travel, supplies, and substantial contractual expenditures.

South Carolina is launching its Wellness Within Reach Initiative as part of the Rural Health Transformation Program, making $27.7M available to rural-serving organizations through subawards. The initiative focuses on expanding mobile crisis response and community care sites to improve healthcare access, quality, and outcomes in rural areas. Projects must demonstrate measurable impact and directly benefit rural residents.

South Carolina is submitting an application to CMS for the Rural Health Transformation Program, with Governor and SCDHHS leadership committed as the lead administrator and convener. The plan prioritizes stakeholder engagement, chronic disease management, infrastructure improvements, and sustainable care models in rural areas. Extensive coordination aims to leverage existing resources, avoid duplication with current federal and state rural health funding, and maximize health outcomes for rural residents.

This FAQ provides guidance on eligibility, allowable costs, and application requirements for South Carolina's Rural Health Transformation Program, targeting rural communities. It details requirements for letters of support, budget narrative, sustainability plans, allowable project types, and restrictions against supplanting or duplicative funding. The document clarifies eligible applicants, funding tracks, and requirements for quarterly and annual reporting. Event schedule: - FAQ Update - 05/08/2026

SCDHHS announced four RHTP funding opportunities supporting digital infrastructure, pilot program scaling, mobile health deployment, and sustainability initiatives. These are one-time infrastructure and capacity-building grants targeting rural health transformation.