PA Department of Human Services Availability of Rural Health Transformation Program Payments

The purpose of this notice is to announce the availability of program payments for both Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) and FQHC look-alikes that meet Federal qualifications of the Public Health Service Act. The Department of Human Services (Department) is authorized to issue program payments to qualified entities under the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). Qualified FQHCs and FQHC look-alikes are eligible for a program payment to implement a Certified Electronic Health Record Technology system to become a participant in one of the Commonwealth's five certified Health Information Organizations and fully onboard to the Statewide health information exchange, the Pennsylvania Patient and Provider Network.

The total funding available for all program payments under this notice is capped at no more than $1.800 million. The Department, in its sole discretion, may increase the funding cap. A funding cap increase does not change the submission deadline dates. There will be a total of six available program payments and each FQHC or FQHC look-alike is limited to one program payment under this notice, not to exceed $300,000. Program payments will be authorized in the order eligibility certifications are received.

Additional information and requirements, including the eligibility certification, are available on the Department's website at https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/programs-services/healthcare/rural-health/rhtp-funding-opportunities.

Eligibility certifications will be accepted beginning July 27, 2026, at 8 a.m., through August 7, 2026, at 11:59 a.m., 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 RHTP application available at pa.gov/agencies/dhs/programs-services/healthcare/rural-health.

Public Comment

Interested persons are invited to submit written comments regarding this notice to the Department of Human Services, RA-HHRRLHLTHTRNSPLAN@pa.gov.

This notice was published in the July 4, 2026, edition of the Pennsylvania Bulletin.