FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: March 06 2026
Contact:
Jon Ebelt, Communications Director,
DPHHS, (406) 444-0936, (406) 461-3757
jebelt@mt.gov
Rural Health Transformation Program Vendor Webinar Scheduled for March 11
HELENA, Mont. — The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) and the Department of Administration (DOA) are hosting a live Zoom webinar on Wednesday, March 11, from 10 a.m. to noon for vendors interested in upcoming Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).
The webinar aims to ensure a transparent and efficient funding process.
During the webinar, state officials will detail the five core RHTP initiatives and anticipated procurements, followed by a Question-and-Answer session.
"We stand ready to put these transformative dollars to work to modernize our health care infrastructure and support the dedicated professionals serving our communities,” DPHHS Director Charlie Brereton said. “Success depends on strong local partnerships, and we look forward to collaborating with Montana’s providers and community leaders to ensure the unique needs of every corner of our state are met in a sustainable manner."
A link to the webinar is available on the DPHHS RHTP website.
In addition to the live webinar, a centralized website page has been created with resources to help vendors effectively navigate the registration process and understand next steps. The resources include a vendor checklist, direct links to helpful videos, and a Frequently Asked Questions document.
Governor Greg Gianforte and Dir. 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), these funds will support Montana’s rural health care providers in delivering sustainable, high-quality care and ensuring appropriate access for those in need of services.
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 state received the fourth-highest funding award among all 50 states, signaling the quality and strength of Montana’s application.
Following CMS requirements, DPHHS submitted a revised budget in January 2026 that was adjusted to prioritize scalable, high-impact programs. CMS issued final approval of the DPHHS budget for the first year of funding on Feb. 19, 2026, clearing the way for the agency to begin awarding funds.
With the first-year budget finalized, funds will be awarded to vendors to support implementation of RHTP initiatives through competitive bidding at bids.mt.gov. Other funding avenues will include grant applications for providers and community organizations and inter-agency agreements (e.g., between DPHHS and the Montana Department of Labor and Industry). Funding opportunities for communities and providers will be posted at ruralhealth.mt.gov on a rolling basis.
RHTP implementation is already guided by robust community feedback. On January 22, 2026, over 600 Montanans participated in the first RHTP Stakeholder Advisory Committee meeting at Montana State University in Bozeman. This session focused on project goals and gathering public input to ensure the initiatives meet the unique needs of Montana’s diverse rural landscape.
For more information on future funding opportunities, visit ruralhealth.mt.gov. For specific questions regarding the program, please email HHSRuralHealthTransformation@mt.gov.
The Rural Health Transformation Program is supported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $233,509,358.76 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.