Department of Human Services Availability of Rural Health Transformation Program Payments; Rapid Response Stabilization

The Department of Human Services (Department) announces the availability of program payments for hospitals, health care providers and rural health facilities. The Department is authorized to issue program payments to qualified entities under the Federal Rural Health Transformation Program (Program). A Program payment must stabilize or enhance rural health care access, promote rural well-being and fall under one of the following six initiatives in the Department's Federally-approved Program application: aging and access; behavioral health; emergency medical services and transportation; maternal health; technology and infrastructure; and workforce.

For these Program payments, qualified hospitals, health care providers and rural health facilities are eligible for a Program payment for supplies, equipment, renovations or structural improvements. Each entity is limited to one program payment which cannot exceed $1 million. The total funding available for all program payments under this notice is capped at no more than $25 million.

Additional information and requirements, including the eligibility certification, are available on the Department's website at pa.gov/agencies/dhs/programs-services/healthcare/rural-health. Eligibility certifications will be accepted beginning May 1, 2026, through June 1, 2026, or until the authorized funding cap has been met, whichever is sooner.

Future funding opportunities will also be made available as outlined in the Department's Federally-approved Program application available at pa.gov/agencies/dhs/programs-services/healthcare/rural-health.

For more information, please review the April 25, 2026 edition of the Pennsylvania Bulletin.