Rural Health Transformation Program
On July 4, 2025, Congress passed H.R. 1, commonly referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This bill creates an opportunity for the state of Georgia to apply for funds under a new Rural Health Transformation Program. States can apply for $10 billion per year, for five years. $5 billion per year will be evenly distributed to all states that apply and $5 billion will be distributed based on a methodology determined by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
From August 11- 29, 2025, the Department of Community Health accepted public input on ideas that will potentially shape the grant process. All submissions are being reviewed, and DCH may reach out to the respondents for further information.
Priority will be given to suggestions that meet the following criteria:
- Support for rural providers with “rural” being defined as a population of 50,000 or less
- Short term projects (able to be accomplished within 24 months, or projects that include discrete components that can be implemented in 24-month increments)
- Not anticipated to create ongoing obligations from the state beyond the end of the defined allocation
- Suggestion meets at least one of the statutorily-required activities
Town Hall Events
DCH was committed to hearing suggestions from stakeholders throughout the state and provided four opportunities for interested parties to participate in town hall meetings in Cordele, Jasper, Vidalia, and virtually.
Public Comments
Thank you for everyone who submitted comments to DCH in support of transforming and improving rural health care in Georgia. Please click here to see the online submissions.
Next Steps
DCH received formal guidance from CMS on September 15, 2025, and is now reviewing all of the public comments provided. DCH will continue to keep the public informed on next steps here.