Advocacy

Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program

EMSAC and our allied state EMS organizations learned of the details of the new Rural Health Transformation (RHTP) Program recently passed by Congress as part of H.R1. just weeks ago. H.R. 1 Section 71401 of Public Law 119-21 “empowers states to strengthen rural communities across America by improving healthcare access, quality, and outcomes by transforming the healthcare delivery ecosystem.” It addresses several EMS-specific topics.

• Pre-Hospital and Acute Care Services: The statute identifies emergency care—including pre-hospital and acute inpatient services—as essential components of rural health system redesign.
• Alternative Site of Care Treatment: The law supports infrastructure that enables treatment “in place” during emergency calls, reducing the need for transport and improving response efficiency.
• Investments to Improve EMS Delivery: Funding may be used for projects that enhance the speed, access, and cost-effectiveness of emergency medical services in rural areas.
• Emergency Services Coordination: Rural facilities are encouraged to collaborate with regional systems to coordinate operations and emergency services, aiming to improve quality and sustainability.

We jumped into action and successfully advocated on the professions behalf, with letters to Governor Polis and the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF). As such EMSAC has a seat on the RHTP Application Core Working Group, along with:

A new funding opportunity is available to support the information technology (IT) needs of rural organizations providing health services. The goals of this grant are to harmonize data-sharing capabilities, increase health information sharing, and advance health information exchange. Approved applications will expand HIE and EMR/EHR interoperability and connectivity, support data sharing, analytics, and IT infrastructure improvements, modernize IT systems and enable innovation in patient care amongst Public Health Agencies and EMS, and/or advance affordable care coordination and health outcomes.

Key Details:

For Immediate Release

May 30, 2025          

For further Information:

Howard Paul — (303) 829-5678 — [email protected]

Priya Telang — (313) 820-2428 — [email protected]

In a move that’s shocked legislators, healthcare providers, and consumer advocates, Governor Jared Polis today vetoed a patient protection bill that received unanimous support from the bipartisan General Assembly. HB25-1088, sponsored by Representative Karen McCormick, Representative Kyle Brown, Senator Kyle Mullica, and Senator Mark Baisley, would have ensured patients received no surprise “balance bills” after seeking ambulance care.