Arkansas state officials are advancing a funding strategy to ensure all residents have access to quality healthcare after opening a second funding round to address rural healthcare challenges.
Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (ADFA) has revealed the second round of Rural Health Transformation Funding (RHTP), allocating $93.6 million to support healthcare systems and services. Applications are due July 10.
The RHTP is a state initiative designed to provide rural communities with better access to quality healthcare. There are six distinct categories of funding, with this round being made available through the Promoting Access, Coordination and Transformation (PACT) category. PACT initiatives work to bring Arkansas’ healthcare system into the modern age by implementing integrated networks, workforce alignment and technology-enabled infrastructure.
Initiatives supported through the RHTP will help link hospitals, clinics, emergency services and community partners into cohesive regional systems – ensuring that high-quality care can be delivered regardless of geography or other mitigating factors. To be considered, applicants must submit projects that align with at least one of the main PACT objectives and provide a credible plan for achieving meaningful results.
Eligible applicants include:
- Hospitals.
- FQHCs.
- Community clinics.
- EMS providers.
- Pharmacies.
- Licensed healthcare practitioners.
- Behavioral health providers.
- CINs
- Nonprofit or public entities serving rural communities.
The $93.6 million will be further divided between five separate subcategories, each designated to support different project types.
The lion’s share of the funding – $63 million – will be distributed through the System Alignment and Facility Enhancement (SAFE) Fund. These projects will support strategic hospital and health system partnerships or affiliations; regional collaboration for specialty coverage and clinical protocols; and rehabilitation of underutilized, inefficient facilities. Additional initiatives may include providing technical assistance for alignment activities; shared service agreements among rural hospitals or providers; and data integration and reporting system alignment.
The ADFA will allocate $24.4 million for Advancing Care Capacity, Engagement and Screening Services (ACCESS) projects. These include:
- Telehealth access points, including facility-based virtual care infrastructure and specialty care connectivity.
- Mobile or community-based screening and preventive service delivery models.
- Technology-enabled care models that expand access to rural and underserved areas.
- Deployment of telehealth platforms and mobile care units that improve timely access to services when tied to access expansion and system coordination.
Another $3.7 million will support Clinically Integrated Network Capacity (CINC) initiatives. These include projects that develop or expand locally governed clinically integrated networks. Other initiatives may center around supporting shared data, administrative and care coordination systems or improving network-wide quality and value-based care readiness.
The Scope of Practice Elevation (SCoPE) subcategory will deliver $1.5 million to support education and training for licensed healthcare professionals. Additional initiatives include workforce optimization, support for team-based models that increase service capacity and integration of pharmacists, hygienists and other providers into expanded care roles.
The final $1 million remaining will support Rural Optimization of Access, Deployment, Mobility and Providers (ROADMAP) projects. These target transportation target solutions that increase access to healthcare, workforce deployment and alignment tools and cross-sector coordination with workforce and community partners.
The RHTP program will not require recipients to match the grant with their own financial share.
Photo by Pixabay
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