FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 19 2026

Contact:
Jon Ebelt, Communications Director,
DPHHS, (406) 444-0936, (406) 461-3757
jebelt@mt.gov

Rural Health Transformation Program Advisory Committee Meeting is Jan. 22

Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) officials announced today the first Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Stakeholder Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., hosted by the Montana Office of Rural Health (ORH) on the Montana State University campus.

The committee was established to provide guidance to DPHHS to support effective implementation of the RHTP initiatives. The meeting will focus on project goals and gathering public feedback. However, no funding decisions will be made. While the meeting is open to the public, some portions of the meeting will be closed.

Registration for the meeting is required. For registration, meeting details, agenda, directions, and parking information, visit the ORH website.

Governor Greg Gianforte and Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Director Charlie Brereton announced in December 2025 a historic $233 million investment from the Trump administration to stabilize and modernize rural health care delivery throughout Montana.

Awarded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), these funds will support Montana’s rural health care providers in delivering sustainable, high-quality, affordable care.

This investment reflects the first-year award of a five-year federal grant program, with Montana currently set to receive up to $1.2 billion over the life of the program.

The announcement follows the successful approval of Montana’s application to CMS, which was submitted by DPHHS in November 2025. The state received the fourth-highest funding award among all 50 states, signaling the quality and strength of Montana’s application.

CMS requires states to submit revised budgets aligned with announced awards by January 30, 2026. DPHHS is currently adjusting its budget to prioritize high-impact programs with the capacity to absorb additional funding.

Once the budget is finalized, most funds will be awarded through competitive bidding at bids.mt.gov. Other methods include grant applications or inter-agency contracts (e.g., with the Department of Labor & Industry).

If direct funding opportunities for communities and providers become available, they will be announced at ruralhealth.mt.gov.

For current information, please visit ruralhealth.mt.gov and view an updated list of Frequently Asked Questions. Questions and feedback may also be emailed to HHSRuralHealthTransformation@mt.gov.