Extensions for Rural Health Grant Funding Opportunities

As previously reported, the Washington State Health Care Authority announced funding opportunities for rural health through the state’s implementation of the Rural Health Transformation Program. In response to the wildfires burning in eastern Washington, the state Health Care Authority has extended the application periods to allow interested physicians and groups to complete their applications.

For the physician community, the most notable component of this year’s grant funding is the “provider technology fund,” which is intended to support technology adoption, telehealth expansion, data infrastructure improvements, and operational modernization in rural healthcare settings. Additional grant funding opportunities that were recently announced for opioid treatment programs and rural hospital maternity, emergency and specialty services. Deadlines were extended as follows:

• Provider Technology Fund – New deadline Aug. 27
• Opioid Treatment Programs Workforce Incentive Program – New deadline Aug. 26
• Rural Hospitals (Maternal, Emergency and Specialty Services) – New deadline Sept. 3

Full information on the request for application opportunities for all three programs is available on the HCA’s website.

H.R. 1 included five years of Rural Health Transformation Program funding to states, at an annual rate of up to $200 million. Future year awards will be informed by program experience and annual revisions. The WSMA provided input on the state’s application last year and will continue to engage in the program. If you are interested in more information on the program or have feedback, please contact the WSMA Policy Department.