10/09/2025

Rural Health Transformation Program: States Urged to Include Older Adults

With the November 5 application deadline approaching for the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program, LeadingAge is urging members to engage with state decision-makers to ensure rural health plans include strategies that address the needs of older adults.

At a recent national planning summit attended by 45 states, CMS emphasized innovation, measurable outcomes, and alignment with the Notice of Funding Opportunity, but discussion largely overlooked older adult access challenges such as transportation, workforce shortages, and broadband connectivity.

LeadingAge encourages providers to connect with state officials developing RHT proposals and to advocate for the inclusion of aging services in these statewide transformation plans. Additional details are available in the full article on LeadingAge.org and through the RHT Program serial post, which provides ongoing updates as the deadline nears.