Lawton, OK – Oklahoma has officially secured approximately $223.5 million for the first year of a five-year grant through the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program, part of a historic $50 billion federal investment authorized by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The award provides new resources to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve outcomes for communities across rural Oklahoma.
Governor Kevin Stitt emphasized the importance of rural health access, stating that the funding will help support small-town clinics and critical access hospitals, ensuring families can receive quality care close to home.
The RHT Program, administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), aims to improve access, quality, and sustainability of rural health care. Oklahoma’s plan aligns with CMS’s five strategic goals: healthy rural communities, sustainable access, workforce development, innovative care, and technology advancement.
Clay Bullard, Secretary of Health and Mental Health and CEO of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, called the funding a transformational opportunity, highlighting its potential to enhance both access and technology in rural counties where healthcare is vital to community survival.
The state’s application was developed through collaboration among multiple agencies—including the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Health Care Authority, Human Services, Workforce Commission, and Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services—as well as hospitals, providers, community organizations, and patient advocacy groups.
Commissioner of Health Keith Reed described the program as a once-in-a-lifetime chance to reshape rural health in Oklahoma, emphasizing the importance of continued community and stakeholder engagement.
Oklahoma’s RHT initiatives include expanding virtual care and transportation support, investing in community-led wellness programs, developing rural healthcare talent pipelines, strengthening regional provider collaboration, shifting to value-based care models, and improving the use of health data through technology and analytics.
