Ohio Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) | Status Update

Rural hospitals are more than healthcare providers. In many communities, they are major employers, economic anchors, and essential infrastructure.

That perspective is reflected throughout Ohio’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). After receiving approximately $202 million in Budget Period 1 federal funding, Ohio developed a strategy focused on improving health outcomes while strengthening the systems that help rural communities thrive.

Ohio's Rural Health Transformation Program Priorities

Ohio’s key priorities include:

Access to Care: Expanding healthcare services in rural and underserved areas.

Behavioral Health & Substance Use Services: Increasing access to treatment and recovery resources.

Workforce Development: Building the rural healthcare workforce.

Technology & Innovation: Expanding telehealth, digital health, and data sharing.

Chronic Disease Prevention & Management: Improving long-term health outcomes through coordinated care.

Community Partnerships: Connecting healthcare providers with local organizations to address broader community needs.

Ohio RHTP moves into implementation

Implementation is now well underway. The Ohio Department of Health has begun releasing RHTP funding opportunities across workforce development, Rural Health Innovation Hubs, clinically integrated networks, rural hospital sustainability, technology modernization, behavioral health, and community health worker training. Together, these investments are helping turn Ohio’s strategy into on-the-ground improvements for rural communities.

One example is Ohio University’s $10 million RHTP award to lead Health Workforce Ohio, a statewide initiative that will connect healthcare employers and educational institutions to recruit, train, and retain healthcare professionals serving rural communities.

Ohio’s strategy recognizes that access to care influences far more than health. Strong rural hospitals support local businesses, strengthen the workforce, and help communities remain places where people want to live and work.

Our Perspective

At REDi Health, that’s why this work matters. Rural hospitals help keep families in their communities, support local businesses, and create the stability that allows rural towns to thrive. Every effort to improve financial sustainability, strengthen operations, expand access to care, and make better use of data is ultimately an investment in the people who call these communities home.

As implementation continues, Ohio is demonstrating how rural healthcare transformation can strengthen both hospitals and the communities they serve. When rural hospitals become more resilient, communities become more resilient alongside them. That’s the goal behind transformation funding, and it’s the reason REDi Health is committed to helping rural hospitals build lasting success long after the funding period ends.

Jeff Grandia

Jeff Grandia is a co-founder of REDi Health and a passionate advocate for rural healthcare. For more than 25 years, he has worked at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and strategy, helping organizations use data in meaningful ways to improve care and strengthen their communities. Jeff is deeply committed to ensuring that people in rural and underserved areas have access to the same opportunities for quality care as those in larger communities. He works alongside hospital leaders to uncover practical solutions, secure critical resources, and turn data into action that improves patient outcomes and supports long-term sustainability. Known for his collaborative approach and unwavering dedication to the communities he serves, Jeff has spent his career helping healthcare organizations navigate complex challenges while staying focused on what matters most—better health and stronger futures for rural communities. He holds an Executive M.B.A. from the University of Utah.