Risch Urges CMS to Release Clear Guidance for Rural Health Program

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) today sent a letter to U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz encouraging the agency to release clear guidance and application materials for the implementation of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).

Established through the budget reconciliation bill, RHTP directs an unprecedented $50 billion investment by Congress and President Trump to strengthen healthcare services in rural communities.

"Reliable access to healthcare in rural areas is crucial for the wellbeing and prosperity of communities across the U.S. However, rural hospitals are increasingly facing systematic challenges to their long-term viability-including significant regulatory burdens, outdated technologies, and financial constraints. The RHTP presents an opportunity to reverse these trends and stabilize, modernize, and sustain rural healthcare providers in Idaho and beyond," wrote Risch. "For many communities, funding from the RHTP could be a much-needed lifeline. To ensure success, timely and clear guidance from CMS is essential. Early clarity will aid states like Idaho in developing and submitting plans that align with Congress's intent and deliver tangible results for rural communities."

Read the full letter here.

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