Montana is taking bold steps to modernize and stabilize rural healthcare with the launch of the first wave of its Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). With a $233M first-year award (the fourth largest in the nation), this initiative focuses on workforce growth, facility sustainability, innovative care delivery, community-based expansion, and technology modernization. 

During the vendor webinar on March 11, 2026, the state outlined Wave 1 procurements, grant programs, and implementation priorities. These efforts aim to: 

  • Build a sustainable rural workforce through recruitment, training, retention, and clinical capacity expansion. 
  • Stabilize hospitals and clinics via restructuring, shared services, and new facility-level financial models. 
  • Launch innovative care models, including telehealth, interfacility transport, EMS modernization, and pharmacist-led care. 
  • Expand community- and school-based care, with mobile services, tribal programs, preventive health, and nutrition initiatives. 
  • Deploy modern health technology, such as analytics dashboards, EHR modernization, and population health management tools. 

Wave 1 Procurement Opportunities

Center of Excellence Strategy & Analytics (RFP):  

  • $11.6M  
  • Launch: March 2026 

Lead statewide CoE, perform restructuring analyses, design delivery models, and create analytics dashboards with tribal governance support. 

Center of Excellence Implementation (RFP):  

  • FFY26–FFY30 

Implement CoE recommendations, expand telehealth and interfacility transport, manage subcontractors, and disburse funds to rural facilities. 

School-Based Care Expansion (RFP):  

  • $105.5M  
  • Launch: March–June 2026 

Expand primary and dental care at schools, integrate behavioral health and telehealth, develop Medicaid billing infrastructure, and promote preventive care. 

Talent Attraction Campaign (RFP):  

  • $1.5M  
  • Launch: March 2026 

Develop a statewide recruitment campaign, promote rural Montana lifestyles, and establish retention pathways. 

Wave 1 & Early Wave 2 Grant Programs

  • Community Paramedicine: Train paramedics for in-home visits, chronic disease management, and behavioral health support. 
  • Blood Storage Grants: Fund EMS agencies for rural ambulance blood storage infrastructure. 
  • Point-of-Care Testing Grants: Support pharmacies in developing diagnostic testing capabilities. 
  • Community Nutrition Grants: Fund community health lifestyle spaces and preventive health programs. 

Eligibility & Funding

Eligible applicants include rural hospitals, health centers, EMS agencies, tribal health programs, pharmacies, schools, behavioral health providers, and technical vendors.

Year 1 CMS funding totals $233.5M, with $27M managed directly by Montana DPHHS for programs such as community paramedicine, pre-hospital blood administration, and EHR modernization. 

How to Apply

All RFPs and grants are issued through eMACS and bids.mt.gov (Commodity Code: 2620 Rural Health Transformation Program). The Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services leads the program, with support from the Montana Department of Administration. 

Montana’s RHTP represents a significant opportunity for organizations to strengthen rural healthcare delivery and infrastructure while improving community access, workforce capacity, and care quality statewide.