New York State Department of Health Submits Application for $1 Billion Under the Federal Rural Health Transformation Program

Application Demonstrates Ongoing Commitment to Improving Rural Health Care

Department Launches New Website Detailing Key Initiatives in the Application

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to Announce State Awards by December 31, 2025

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) today announced that New York has submitted its application to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for the federal Rural Health Transformation Program.  States selected to receive the awards will be decided by December 31, 2025.  The Department has also launched a new website detailing key initiatives included in its application, underscoring the state's continued commitment to advancing the health and well-being of all New Yorkers.

State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, "The Department, under the leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul, remains committed to working with our federal, state and local partners to ensure we are bringing high quality and affordable health care services to rural communities.  This effort reflects our ongoing mission of promoting and protecting the health and well-being of all New Yorkers, building on a foundation of health equity."

New York State has more than 47,000 square miles of rural land area.  About 2.1 million New Yorkers live in areas considered rural, representing more than 10 percent of the state's total population.  However, these communities face disparities across a variety of health indicators, including care coordination, primary care access, behavioral health care access, and incidence of chronic conditions.

Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan added, "Expanding access to services in underserved communities is an important part of our effort to strengthen mental health care statewide.  The Rural Health Transformation Grant will help New York State explore new partnerships, build our health care workforce, and pursue innovative opportunities to expand care in these areas.  Under Governor Kathy Hochul's leadership, we are helping New Yorkers in our rural areas access the critical care they can rely on to keep themselves and their families healthy."

The Department has long supported utilizing innovation and strategic investments to bolster the quality of health care offered across the state.  New York's application to the Rural Health Transformation Program seeks to improve health care access for rural communities through a set of interrelated initiatives that leverage local healthcare providers, regional partnerships, and statewide infrastructure.

New York's Rural Health Transformation Plan Includes Four Key Initiatives:

• Establish coordinated rural health partnerships: These partnerships between rural hospitals and healthcare organizations will enhance patient access to a wide range of providers across the care continuum to address both health and social needs.
• Strengthen rural communities with technology-enhanced primary care: Improve rural patient access to and utilization of high-quality primary care through the Patient Centered Medical Home model with the incorporation of artificial intelligence where appropriate.
• Build a sustainable rural health care workforce: Create a self-sustaining cycle of workforce development and pipeline that addresses both immediate staffing needs and long-term capacity-building, ensuring New York's rural communities have continuous access to high quality health care services tailored to their regional circumstances.
• Investments in technology innovation and cybersecurity enhancements: Expand access to care through telehealth, improving patient outcomes through eConsult partnerships, increasing usable alerts in rural counties, and strengthening cybersecurity of rural facilities.