Washington, D.C. – September 18, 2025 – Civitas Networks for Health®, the largest national network of local health data and improvement organizations, announced its readiness to help states implement the newly launched Rural Health Transformation Program (RHT), a $50 billion federal initiative aimed at reimagining care delivery in rural communities across the country.
Civitas applauds the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the White House for prioritizing rural health through this unprecedented investment, which provides critical funding to help rural hospitals, clinics, and other providers address longstanding challenges such as workforce shortages, financial instability, technology advancement, and limited access to care. By elevating rural health as a national priority, CMS and federal leaders are creating a pathway for innovation and sustainability in communities that need it most.
As states prepare to submit their transformation plans to CMS by early November, Civitas members are uniquely positioned to help accelerate this work.
“Rural communities face unique and persistent barriers to care, and transformation cannot happen without collaboration, innovation, and local leadership,” said Jolie Ritzo, Interim CEO of Civitas. “Our members have decades of experience supporting rural providers with trusted infrastructure and services that improve health outcomes, reduce costs, and drive meaningful, measurable progress.”
Civitas’ Role in the Rural Health Transformation Program
Civitas’ national membership includes Health Information Exchanges (HIEs), Health Data Utilities (HDUs), Regional Health Improvement Collaboratives (RHICs), Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs), and other multi-stakeholder organizations that serve as critical national health infrastructure.
These organizations have a proven track record of:
- Leveraging data and technology to enhance care coordination and measure outcomes.
- Connecting rural providers and community-based organizations through secure data exchange.
- Supporting state agencies and Medicaid programs in building sustainable systems of care.
- Providing on-the-ground expertise and technical assistance to improve quality, safety, and equity.
Many Civitas members are already responding to states’ RFPs and preparing proposals that align directly with RHT priorities, offering solutions such as rural closed-loop referral systems, cybersecurity readiness support, and data dashboards to track rural health progress.
Building on a Strong Foundation
The RHT builds on two decades of federal and state investments in health data modernization, such as HITECH and Medicaid quality programs. Civitas members are ready to help states move quickly without starting from scratch, leveraging this existing infrastructure to meet CMS requirements and deliver immediate value for rural communities.
“This moment represents a significant opportunity to strengthen rural health care, and we commend CMS for recognizing the critical role of rural providers and then need for improved care in these rural geographies,” added Ritzo. “We encourage states to partner with trusted, mission-driven organizations like Civitas members to design and implement transformation plans that will last far beyond the funding period.”
For partnership opportunities or to get involved, visit www.civitasforhealth.org or email contact [at] civitasforhealth.org.
About Civitas Networks for Health®
Civitas Networks for Health® is a national nonprofit collaborative of over 160 member organizations dedicated to improving health through health information exchange, data use, and cross-sector collaboration. Civitas educates the private sector and policymakers on interoperability, quality, care coordination, health equity, and cost-effectiveness. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Civitas also leads multi-site grant-funded initiatives and amplifies the voices of local health innovators on the national stage. To learn more, visit www.civitasforhealth.org.
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Kelsey Matheson-Daly
