The CMS Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program places states at the center of efforts to strengthen access, quality, and sustainability in rural health systems. As states move from planning to implementation, success depends on effective leadership, strong partnerships, and practical approaches that reflect the realities of rural communities.
This three-part national webinar series brings together state leaders, health plans, and innovators from across the country to explore how rural health transformation will be implemented on the ground. Through real-world perspectives and cross-sector discussion, the series examines what it takes to translate the RHT framework into meaningful, lasting change.
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Focus: Innovation pathways that work for rural communities
The first webinar focuses on how startups and innovators can meaningfully engage with state-led rural health transformation programs. While innovation is a core goal of the RHT Program, rural contexts require thoughtful, community-aligned approaches.
Key topics include:
How states evaluate and adopt innovative solutions
What “rural-ready” innovation looks like in practice
Common pitfalls startups face in rural markets—and how to avoid them
Pathways from pilot to scale within state transformation programs
Panelists:
Eric Levitan - Vivo
Aparna Pujar - Zemplee
Aaron Molloy - Paralign Health
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Focus: Health plans as operational and strategic partners
Health plans play a critical role in operationalizing rural transformation—through payment models, data, care coordination, and provider support. This webinar explores how states and health plans can align to ensure RHT programs achieve lasting impact.
Key topics include:
Aligning Medicaid managed care and state RHT goals
Adapting value-based payment models for rural settings
Supporting rural providers with data, infrastructure, and technical assistance
Lessons from early state–plan partnerships
Panelists:
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Focus: State experiences leading CMS Rural Health Transformation efforts
This final webinar centers the role of states as the primary drivers of rural health transformation. State leaders will share how they are designing and implementing RHT programs within their unique rural contexts—balancing federal goals with local realities.
Key topics include:
Translating the CMS RHT framework into state-specific strategies
Engaging rural communities, providers, and regional partners
Building sustainable rural health systems beyond the funding period
Panelists: