Federal Rural Health Policy Tracker
Rural Health Transformation ProgramMedicaid CutsEnhanced Premium Tax CreditsMembers are Speaking OutAct NOW!
This page aims to keep track of rapidly changing Federal rural health policy. CRHC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization advocating for the sustainability of rural healthcare facilities across Colorado.
Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP)
Colorado Celebrates $200 Million for Rural Healthcare
Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Summary Background: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), enacted into law on July 4, 2025, created a $50 billion fund, called the Rural Health Transformation Program, in an attempt to offset losses that rural health providers will experience associated with other health provisions in the legislation.
The Colorado Department of Healthcare Policy & Financing (HCPF) announced that Colorado will receive just over $200 million for the first period of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).
Colorado’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) will serve all 52 rural and frontier counties and Colorado’s two federally recognized tribes, where approximately 13% of the state’s health care facilities are located. The program will focus on 23 frontier counties that lack access to critical specialty care, including behavioral health and OB/GYN services, and 29 rural counties with high rates of chronic disease and preventable hospitalizations.
“Colorado’s rural hospitals and clinics are essential points of access to quality healthcare. Rural facilities serve over 800,000 people living in Colorado’s 52 rural counties,” said Colorado Rural Health Center CEO, Michelle Mills. “We are grateful for this rural transformation funding as it will provide the opportunity to keep essential services local and develop new creative solutions through workforce, technology, and innovation.”
Read more about Colorado’s Rural Health Transformation Program in the full press release below:
RHTP Links and Information:
- CMS Guide to RHTP
- Will hospitals benefit from $50B rural health program? 8 things to know
- NRHA Guide to RHTP
- HCPF Summary of the RHTP
One Big Beautiful Bill Act Medicaid Cuts
One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), enacted into law on July 4, 2025, promises to reshape rural healthcare moving forward. Stay abreast on the latest updates.
- Budget Reconciliation Act Implementation Dates, Funding, and Authorities for Medicaid & Select Health Provisions
- Budget Reconciliation Act Implementation Dates For Select Medicaid & Health Provisions
- H.R. 1 Medicaid Community Engagement/Work Requirements Frequently Asked Questions
- HR and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Rural Colorado Sees Higher Rates of Medicaid Patients
Medicaid makes up a significant portion of most rural Colorado healthcare facilities’ payer mixes statewide. Additionally, Medicaid/CHP+ covers 30% of Colorado’s urban population but nearly 35% of rural residents! Protecting Medicaid protects rural Colorado. The proposed cuts, rollbacks in eligibility, and changes in reimbursement threaten to weaken this critical support system, and leave children, older adults, and rural populations even more vulnerable.
This page aims to serve as a clearinghouse for rural Medicaid resources and as a place to engage, advocate, and partner with CRHC and other rural allies in the push to protect rural healthcare by protecting Medicaid!
Scroll down through the document below and click on counties to view the percentage of residents on Medicaid and the percentage of those under 20 covered by Medicaid.
Why it Matters
Medicaid protects some of the most vulnerable members of rural society
The following resources were carefully crafted by CRHC partners, governmental organizations, and CRHC members to lay out the devastating impacts of enacting the proposed cuts to Medicaid.
- Estimated Impact on Medicaid Enrollment and Hospital Expenditures in Rural Communities
- Federal Medicaid funding changes will have devastating impacts
- Estimates for Medicaid Policy Options and State Responses
- Medicaid Cuts Hurt Colorado’s Economy and Trigger Job Losses in Your Legislative Districts
- Medicaid Fact Sheet – Work Requirements
- One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA): Impact of the Rural Health Transformation Fund
- Estimated Impact on Medicaid Enrollment and Hospital Expenditures in Rural Communities
- Trump bill’s Medicaid provision that’s now in limbo could cost Colorado $10 billion
Cutting Medicaid puts rural hospitals at risk of closure!
Since 2010, 188 rural hospitals have closed or ceased inpatient services nationally. Colorado has had zero hospital closures, but given the disproportionately high rate of Medicaid coverage amongst rural patients, any cuts to the program will leave hospitals more vulnerable to closure and put rural communities at greater risk.
CRHC Members are Speaking Out!
- Kevin Stansbury: Opinion | What Medicaid Cuts Would Do to My Rural Hospital
- Federal Medicaid cuts threaten Colorado’s rural health infrastructure | OPINION
- In this rural Colorado valley, cuts to Medicaid would have vast ripple effects
- Looming cuts to Medicaid would shake entire San Luis Valley health care system — and its economy
- Medicaid cuts in Trump tax bill could close 6 rural hospitals in Colorado, report warns
- Colorado leaders, hospitals paint bleak picture of Medicaid cuts if GOP bill becomes law
- A key rural hospital in La Junta is laying people off with deep federal Medicaid cuts looming
