In December 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced South Carolina has been awarded $200,030,252 in federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding for fiscal year 2026. The RHTP was established under Section 71401 of Public Law 119-21 under the Working Families Tax Cut legislation, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law by President Trump July 4, 2025. The funding provides an opportunity to improve health outcomes for South Carolinians who live in rural communities for generations to come. The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) will host a webinar to provide an update on the RHTP March 24, 2026. 

During the webinar, SCDHHS will describe the grant opportunities to be created through the RHTP in South Carolina. Each funding opportunity will clearly outline initiative-specific goals, expected outcomes and allowable uses of funds using standardized evaluation criteria established by SCDHHS and aligned with the RHTP goals and guidelines. This session will provide details on how and when to apply for funds through the RHTP and outlines the state’s priorities for the first year of funding.

Webinar Details:

• Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2026
• Time: 9 a.m. EDT
• Format: Webinar
• Registration: https://scdhhs-events.webex.com/weblink/register/ra7a8ff08dae49adfd0a380ccee99fece 

SCDHHS encourages providers, community organizations, local leaders, advocates and residents of rural communities to participate. 

In developing its RHTP application, SCDHHS identified five major initiatives to increase access to quality healthcare services, particularly those that focus on improving chronic disease and maternal health outcomes across the state’s rural communities. Funding opportunities for the four major initiatives listed below will be discussed on the webinar. Funding opportunities for the fifth of South Carolina’s RHTP initiatives, the Tech Catalyst Fund, will be announced through a future stage of SCDHHS’ RHTP implementation.

Connections to Care

Expands digital infrastructure by implementing electronic health records, remote patient monitoring, telehealth services and a statewide resource database platform to improve care coordination and access

Leveling Up 

Scales successful pilot programs statewide, focusing on chronic disease management, pediatric care quality and workforce development

Wellness Within Reach

Deploys mobile health units, crisis response teams and pop-up clinics to bring care directly to underserved populations 

Shoring Up to Sustainability 

Strengthens rural healthcare systems through targeted investments in workforce recruitment and retention, facility upgrades and provider training 

For more information about RHTP or to register for the webinar, please visit www.scdhhs.gov/rhtp or email grants@scdhhs.gov.

The RHTP is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $200,030,252.32 with 100% funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

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