UTN Helps Utah Win $195.7 Million Award to Launch Rural Health Transformation Program
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) received a $195,743,566 first‑year award from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to implement the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).
As part of this statewide effort, the Utah Telehealth Network (UTN) and the Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center (NRTRC) played key roles in the development of Utah’s Telehealth Initiative, participating actively in workgroups and contributing data related to rural provider needs assessments, national best practices, and technical expertise.
“Telehealth is essential to ensuring that every Utahn—no matter where they live—can access timely, high‑quality care,” said Sarah Bauman, Director of Telehealth Services at UTN. “We are excited to work with DHHS and stakeholders across the state to help build a coordinated, statewide telehealth ecosystem that supports rural providers, strengthens local health systems, and delivers real benefits to patients. This award positions Utah to make transformative progress.”
The RHTP is a $50 billion, 50-state initiative approved by the U.S. Congress to strengthen and modernize healthcare in rural communities nationwide. Utah’s award reflects the strength of the state’s RHTP application and the extensive collaboration that shaped it. “DHHS extends its appreciation to the many workgroup leads, members, partners, and community stakeholders whose expertise and commitment were essential to developing the plan and securing this significant federal investment,” the agency said.
What’s Next? Supporting Rural Providers and Building a Statewide Telehealth Consortium
DHHS is already working to support the implementation of the RHTP. As it finalizes steps to support funding allocations, DHHS will share information about its award process, and UTN will post news about funding opportunities as soon as they are announced by DHHS.
UTN anticipates supporting our healthcare members and the state’s RHTP Telehealth Initiative in several ways:
- Supporting rural healthcare providers in accessing essential technology, technical assistance, and resources to develop and implement telehealth projects that expand access to care
- Participating in the formation of a statewide telehealth consortium, which will convene healthcare organizations, rural providers, state agencies, industry experts, academic partners, and community stakeholders to guide long‑term telehealth transformation
- Helping sustain telehealth components of the RHTP program, ensuring that digital care remains a central strategy for improving health outcomes across Utah