The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) is a federal initiative created by H.R. 1, the federal reconciliation bill from 2025. The program authorizes $50 billion nationally over five years to support rural health system improvements, with funding awarded annually to states based on rural population, infrastructure, hospital need, and appliation strength.
Georgia has received an initial award of $218,862,170 in RHTP funds for its Georgia Rural Enhancement and Transformation of Health (GREAT Health) program. This funding will support 29 projects or strategies across five major initiatives focused on transitioning rural healthcare providers to a value-based care payment model.
If you are interested in applying to be a member of the GREAT Health Advisory Council, the deadline to submit the application form is April 30, 2026.
Georgia RHTP Year 1 Spending Breakdown
See the Year 1 Budget Summary Chart
START HERE
New Resources
GHA has released three new summaries of upcoming hospital-centric Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) initiatives.
Each summary includes funding information, identified stakeholders, implementation timelines, and outcome measures.
Important Dates and Deadlines
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The Georgia Department of Public Health will hold the first LOI hospital webinar on Friday, May 1, from 1-2 p.m. Registration information will be shared soon. This webinar will give further details on the funding available and prioritized for LOI hospitals within RHTP, as well as a status update on the state’s build-out of the AHEAD model.
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If you are interested in applying to be a member of the GREAT Health Advisory Council, the deadline to submit the application form is May 1. More information is below.
Year 1 Implementation Updates
The Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) released additional information on Year 1 implementation of the GREAT Health (Georgia Rural Enhancement and Transformation of Health) Program, Georgia’s Rural Health Transformation Program.
Eligible hospitals received an email on Friday, Jan. 9, from DCH Commissioner Dean Burke with information about participating in the AHEAD (Achieving Healthcare Efficiency through Accountable Design) Model pre-implementation evaluations.
GREAT Health Advisory Council
To develop, evolve, and improve the components of the GREAT Health Program, the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) is creating the GREAT Health Advisory Council. Expectations and responsibilities of council members include providing feedback on the GREAT Heath Program, representing rural stakeholders for the duration of the program (expected to be 5 years), and review program progress, data, and performance dashboards. The deadline to apply is May 1.
Webinars and Education
GHA AHEAD Model Review Webinar
- On Jan. 28, GHA hosted an educational program to help hospitals better understand and evaluate participation in the AHEAD (Achieving Healthcare Efficiency through Accountable Design) Model as part of the state’s GREAT Health Program (Georgia’s Rural Health Transformation Program). Watch the recording.
AHEAD Model Webinar
- On Jan. 15, DCH held a webinar to provide an overview on the AHEAD (Achieving Healthcare Efficiency through Accountable Design) Model, a new value-based care initiative for rural areas coordinated with the state's Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) application. Watch the recording and view the presentation..
How Georgia plans to use the funds
Georgia’s application distributes funding to healthcare providers, state agencies, consultants, and vendors across five major initiatives.
- Transforming for a Sustainable Health System in Rural Georgia
- Strengthening the Continuum of Care in Rural Georgia
- Connecting to Care to Improve Healthcare Access in Rural Georgia
- Growing a Highly Skilled Healthcare Workforce in Rural Georgia
- Leveraging Technology for Healthcare Innovations in Rural Georgia