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

The PA Department of Human Services (Department) announced program payment availability for certain qualified entities to stabilize or enhance rural health care access and promote rural well-being. Rural Health Transformation Program (Program) payments must be used for one of the six initiatives in the Federally approved Program application:

• Aging and Access
• Behavioral Health
• Emergency Medical Services and Transportation
• Maternal Health
• Technology and Infrastructure
• Workforce

The following entities may submit a funding request by means of an eligibility certification:

• Hospitals licensed as a general acute care hospital by the Department of Health
• Health care providers
• Rural health facilities

Qualified hospitals, health care providers and rural health facilities are eligible for a Program payment for supplies and equipment. This Program payment is limited to one payment per location. Entities who were authorized a rapid response stabilization Program payment through the rapid response stabilization funding opportunity announced in the public notice issued on April 25, 2026, are not eligible for a payment under this funding opportunity.

Program payments will be authorized on a first-come, first-served basis according to the receipt of eligibility certifications. Each region will be limited to two payments through this funding opportunity until all regions have at least two payment authorizations or until the Department is no longer accepting submissions, whichever is earlier.

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 August 17, 2026, at 8 a.m., through August 24, 2026, at 11:59 p.m., or until the authorized funding cap has been met, whichever is sooner.

Public Comment

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

Form more information, please review the August 1, 2026, edition of the Pennsylvania Bulletin