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:

• Colorado Rural Health Center
• Colorado Hospital Association
• Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council
• Department of Public Health and Environment
• Office of eHealth Innovations
• All four Regional Accountable Entity CEOs
• Consumer Advocate representatives

The RHTP Application Core Working Group is expected to begin the week of Sept. 22, 2025. Following Colorado’s RHTP application submission, developed by the Application Core Working Group, to CMS, HCPF will convene a formal RHTP Advisory Council to:

• Develop request for applications for grantees
• Review applications for funding
• Recommend grant awards
• Support ongoing program administration, such as grantee monitoring, federal reporting, and award revisions.