Yesterday, Alaska received a $272 million award from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as part of the 5-year Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). RHTP promises Alaska approximately $1.4 billion over the course of five years to help expand and support rural healthcare services.
According to CMS, the funds will go toward five key program goals:
- Bring more care within reach
- Strengthen and sustain the rural clinical workforce
- Modernize rural health infrastructure and technology
- Drive structural efficiency and empower community providers
- Advance innovative care models and payment reform
“This is the biggest investment in rural health care in American history, and certainly the largest investment in Alaska’s health care system from the federal government in our state’s history,” stated Sen. Sullivan. Sullivan also emphasized how the investment allows Alaska to “design a health care system that reflects Alaska’s unique needs” rather than being a one-size-fits-all solution.