North Carolina launches dashboard for rural health transformation program projects. North Carolina has launched a dashboard tracking projects funded by its Rural Health Transformation Program after receiving new federal support for Year 2 efforts. State leaders say investments aim at improving access and outcomes across more than three million residents living in rural areas. 3h ago Monday, Nov 2 By P. S. Duncan The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced on Nov. 2 the launch of a new dashboard displaying all projects awarded funds in Year 1 of the Rural Health Transformation Program, including details about counties served, committed amounts, and project descriptions. The announcement follows an initial $100 million award from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to North Carolina for Year 2 funding under the program. Governor Josh Stein said, "We will continue to put these dollars to work for rural North Carolinians. Every North Carolinian should have access to high-quality health care close to where they live. By investing in the people, services, and technology that rural communities need, we can make it easier for families to get the care they need." In its first year, North Carolina established statewide and regional structures needed for a five-year transformation plan while leveraging proven programs to deliver investments and services quickly into rural areas. The second year is expected to shift focus from planning and start-up toward implementation across the state. More than 3.5 million residents live in rural communities in North Carolina - the second-largest such population nationwide - where challenges include shortages of healthcare providers, hospital closure risk, higher rates of chronic conditions, and disparities in access or outcomes. NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai said, "Our work is rooted in reaching people where they are. In our rural communities, that means using our Rural Health Transformation Program funding to make sure people can get what they need to be healthy close to home. The NCRHTP work is in direct alignment with the department's goal to transform rural health in North Carolina." NC ROOTS Hubs will continue collaborating with providers and organizations at a local level; staff have been assessing needs over recent months ahead of upcoming project funding rounds targeting local healthcare challenges. The federal government established this program so states could improve technology use, strengthen their healthcare workforce, and develop new ways of delivering care over five years; future federal funding depends partly on state progress as well as broader federal decisions. However, officials noted that H.R. 1 - the same law establishing this initiative - also reduces overall federal Medicaid support: projections indicate North Carolina could lose tens of billions of dollars over ten years due to these reductions.

State launches new Rural Health Transformation Program dashboard. NC Awarded $100M for Year 2, Funding to Come in Phases The NC Department of Health and Human Services today launched a new dashboard sharing all projects that were awarded Rural Health Transformation Program funds in Year 1, along with the counties served, the amounts committed, and brief descriptions of the work. The announcement comes after the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) awarded an initial $100 million to North Carolina for Year 2 Rural Health Transformation Program funding, with additional funding to follow. The program aims to improve health care in rural communities, help people get better care, and maintain rural health services. "We will continue to put these dollars to work for rural North Carolinians," said Governor Josh Stein. "Every North Carolinian should have access to high-quality health care close to where they live. By investing in the people, services, and technology that rural communities need, we can make it easier for families to get the care they need." In the first year of the program, North Carolina built the statewide and regional structure needed to carry out a five-year transformation plan while also leveraging proven programs to get investments and services into rural communities quickly. The second year will build on that foundation, moving more of the work from planning and start-up into implementation throughout the state. More than 3.5 million North Carolinians live in rural communities, giving North Carolina the second-largest rural population in the country. Many rural communities face health care challenges, including insufficient numbers of health care providers, risk of hospital closures, high rates of chronic health conditions, and differences in access to care and health outcomes. The state obligated all funds allocated to North Carolina within the first year of the Rural Health Transformation Program. These investments will strengthen the rural health care workforce, improve technology, and help communities connect people to the care and support they need. NCDHHS recently released an Annual Report highlighting the work of the program for the first year. "Our work is rooted in reaching people where they are," said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. "In our rural communities, that means using our Rural Health Transformation Program funding to make sure people can get what they need to be healthy close to home. The NCRHTP work is in direct alignment with the department's goal to transform rural health in North Carolina." NC ROOTS Hubs will continue to help carry out the work on the ground in rural communities. Over the past four months, Hub staff have worked with health care providers, community organizations, and residents to assess needs and identify priorities in each region. NC ROOTS Hubs will soon begin funding projects and creating new opportunities for rural providers and community organizations that best address local challenges in health care access and delivery. During the four months allotted for implementation of Year 1 programming, North Carolina: * Built regional infrastructure: Established NC ROOTS Hub Leads serving six regions across the state. Hubs formed regional governing bodies, convened partners, and completed needs assessments to guide local priorities. * Expanded opioid treatment: Invested $10 million in 39 local EMS agencies to help paramedics start medication treatment for opioid use disorder, connect patients to ongoing care, and provide support in their homes. * Expanded behavioral health care: Increased access to telehealth treatment and support for young adults experiencing a first episode of psychosis. Announced funding to expand school-based health centers, bringing critical health care directly to students in rural North Carolina. * Expanded diabetes prevention: Brought an evidence-based diabetes prevention program to 18 southeastern counties to help people at high risk prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. Information about funding opportunities for NCRHTP can be found on the grant opportunities website. For the latest updates on NC's Rural Health Transformation Program and additional engagement opportunities, sign up for the NCRHTP newsletter. The federal government created the Rural Health Transformation Program to help states improve health care in rural communities. States can use the funding to improve technology, strengthen the health care workforce, and develop new ways to provide care. In the first year, North Carolina was awarded more than $213 million. The federal program will provide funding for five years, with future funding based in part on state progress and federal funding decisions. North Carolina is maximizing the funding awarded by the Rural Health Transformation Program. However, the same federal law that created the program, H.R. 1, also reduces federal Medicaid funding to states. North Carolina is projected to lose tens of billions of dollars for health care over the next 10 years as a result. Stevens Amendment Disclosure: This press release is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $213,008,356.47 with 100% funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CMS/HHS or the U.S. Government. Related topics: