Bennet, Collins, Colleagues Press CMS to Grant Greater Flexibility to Rural Health Transformation Program Implementation

 Pursuant to Senate Policy, petitions, opinion polls, and unsolicited mass electronic communications cannot be initiated by this office for the 60-day period immediately before the date of a primary or general election. Subscribers currently receiving electronic communications from this office who wish to unsubscribe may do so here . M About About Michael Legislation News Press Releases Social Media Newsletter Archive Services Priorities Top Issues Child Tax Credit Investing in Colorado Contact Map Español Acerca de Michael Escribe a Michael Prioridades Servicios Visitando D.C. Bennet, Collins, Colleagues Press CMS to Grant Greater Flexibility to Rural Health Transformation Program Implementation Denver— Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, co-chair of the Senate Rural Health Caucus, and Maine Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) led a bipartisan group of their colleagues to ask Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to grant greater flexibility to ensure the successful implementation of the Rural Health Transformation Program […] Jun 18, 2026 | Press Releases Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, co-chair of the Senate Rural Health Caucus, and Maine Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) led a bipartisan group of their colleagues to ask Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to grant greater flexibility to ensure the successful implementation of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The Senators stressed that RHTP provides a unique opportunity to address long-standing challenges. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and John Hickenlooper also signed this letter. “In rural communities across the country, hospitals and clinics serve as the backbone of local health care systems delivering emergency care, supporting maternal health, treating chronic illness, and standing ready to respond when lives are on the line. Its implementation is an important opportunity to strengthen care for the millions of Americans who rely on rural hospitals, clinics, and providers every day,” began the senators. For many rural communities, local hospitals and clinics are the front line for health care due to proximity. These institutions serve farmers and fishermen injured during harvest season, seniors managing chronic illness, families seeking maternity care close to home, and patients facing medical emergencies where every minute matters. Due to this, when rural hospitals struggle financially, the effects are felt far beyond the health care system. Communities lose jobs, families lose access to lifesaving care, and patients are forced to travel even further for care. Rural health care systems across the country are facing enormous challenges. Over 200 rural hospitals have closed or cut inpatient services since 2010, and more than 45 percent of remaining facilities are operating in the red. Now that the $50 billion in funds is being distributed, RHTP is officially underway and all 50 states have their initial funding. As currently structured, the guidance for implementing the RHTP places many of our rural hospitals and clinics at a disadvantage unintentionally, even though they are the frontline providers that need this funding the most. “Rural Americans deserve reliable access to high-quality care close to home. Our recommendations aim to strengthen the hospitals and providers that communities rely upon in moments of crisis and every day in between. Low reimbursement rates from public payers paired with low volumes are a major contributor to rural hospital financial instability. RHTP provides a unique opportunity to address these long-standing challenges and set rural hospitals up for success on their road to transformation,” continued the senators. This letter is endorsed by the Colorado Hospital Association, Colorado Rural Health Center, Eastern Plains Healthcare Consortium, Federation of American Hospitals, National Association of Rural Health Clinics, and National Rural Health Association. “The National Rural Health Association supports Senators Bennet and Collins’ bipartisan letter to CMS addressing methods to strengthen the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). In order to protect the integrity of this historic investment, it is critical that CMS ensure funds reach the rural health facilities they were intended for. Providing greater flexibility for provider payments, workforce investments, and health information technology, while ensuring smaller and independent rural providers can meaningfully access funding opportunities, will help RHTP fulfill its purpose of strengthening rural health care systems and improving access to care in rural communities,” said Alan Morgan, CEO of the National Rural Health Association. “For this unique investment to be truly transformational, it is imperative that these dollars flow to rural providers, including the 5,800+ CMS-certified Rural Health Clinics across the country. “We greatly