Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced late last week that Arkansas has submitted its application for federal funding under the new Rural Health Transformation Program, a $50 billion initiative created through President Donald Trump’s “One, Big, Beautiful Bill.”
The program, administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, aims to strengthen rural healthcare nationwide over the next five years. States will learn their funding allocations by Dec. 31, with the first disbursements expected in early 2026.
“Improving the health and well-being of all Arkansans is a top priority for my administration,” Sanders said in a statement. “This funding will help us increase access to care and reduce inefficiencies throughout the healthcare system, ultimately benefitting Arkansans in smaller communities.”
The state’s proposal outlines four major initiatives:
HEART (Healthy Eating, Active Recreation, and Transformation) — promoting nutrition, physical activity, and chronic disease prevention;
PACT (Promoting Access Coordination and Transformation) — integrating specialty care, telehealth, and trauma services into rural areas;
RISE AR (Recruitment Innovation Skills and Education for Arkansas) — expanding rural healthcare training and workforce incentives; and
THRIVE (Telehealth Health Monitoring and Response Innovation for Vital Expansion) — using AI and remote technology to modernize patient care and emergency response.
Department of Finance and Administration Secretary Jim Hudson said the plan “reflects the unique needs of our state,” crediting multiple agencies and healthcare leaders for shaping the application.
The proposal incorporated feedback from more than 300 Arkansans, including healthcare professionals, lawmakers, and community organizations.
Sanders highlighted the plan as part of her broader focus on health and wellness, citing earlier initiatives to support maternal health, combat food insecurity, and promote outdoor recreation through the Natural State Initiative.
Arkansas’ application to CMS for the Rural Health Transformation Program can be downloaded here.
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