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Authors Posts by Tim Sohosky

Tim Sohosky

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FOA Funding Opportunity Announcement Application Money Available Words 3d Illustration

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the application and details on how states can apply to receive funding from the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program created under the recently-passed budget reconciliation bill.

Half of the funding will be evenly distributed to all states with an approved application. The remainder will be awarded to approved states based on individual state metrics and applications that reflect the greatest potential for and scale of impact on the health of rural communities. Applications must come from a state government agency or office and include a letter of endorsement signed by the governor.

There are several key considerations to keep in mind regarding the RHTP:

  • Application deadline: States have until November 5 to apply, and this will be a one-time application. CMS will announce approved states by December 31 and begin disbursing funds in 2026.
  • Program goals: The RHTP outlines five strategic goals rooted in the statutorily approved uses of funds:
    • Make rural America healthy again: Support rural health innovations and new access points to promote preventive health and address root causes of diseases.
    • Sustainable access: Help rural providers become long-term access points for care by improving efficiency and sustainability.
    • Workforce development: Attract and retain a highly skilled health care workforce by strengthening recruitment and retention of health care providers in rural communities.
    • Innovative care: Spark the growth of innovative care models to improve health outcomes, coordinate care, and promote flexible care arrangements.
    • Tech innovation: Foster use of innovative technologies that promote efficient care delivery, data security, and access to digital health tools by rural facilities, providers, and patients.
  • States will receive and manage funds: Unlike previous federal relief programs, the RHTP does not provide direct payments to rural providers and clinics. Instead, states must apply for and manage the funds, with CMS approval.
  • CCBHC-specific considerations: The RHTP specifically directs applying states to provide a current list of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) entities within their state as of September 1, 2025, every active site of care associated with each CCBHC entity, and the address of every active site of care. For applications without this information, CMS will estimate the number of CCBHCs in the state using the most recent list of CCBHCs as maintained by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the list of CCBHCs supported through the Section 223 CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration and through SAMHSA-administered CCBHC Expansion (CCBHC-E) Grants, and State-certified CCBHCs listed on state government websites for states that use other Medicaid authority to designate CCBHCs (such as Medicaid State Plan rehabilitation authority). The addresses of these CCBHC sites, as available, will be compared to rural area designations using the current HRSA definition of rurality to determine whether a CCBHC is in a rural area.

CMS has scheduled two webinars for RHT Program applicants as follows:

Friday, September 19, 2025 at 3:00 pm (ET)
Register in advance for this webinar

Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 3:00 pm (ET)
Register in advance for this webinar

The deadline for states to apply is November 5, 2025.

There is only one opportunity to apply for funding and CMS will announce awardees by December 31, 2025. Additional information about the Rural Health Transformation Program is available on the program’s web page as well ANCOR’s Medicaid Resource Center. 

As a reminder, the RHTP funding is not limited to hospitals or any specific provider types, and may also be used by states to support their community-based disability programs.

In preparation for Pennsylvania’s submission for the RHT initiative, the Department of Human Services (DHS) elicited public comment and feedback as it related to the State’s ongoing strategic implementation of the 2025–2030 Rural Health Plan and the grant application. The plan was developed with input from rural community leaders, health professionals, academic institutions, and policymakers to identify key priority and action steps to address the unique health challenges and opportunities in Pennsylvania’s 48 rural counties. Primary focuses include access to care, behavioral health, oral health, maternal health, workforce development, broadband connectivity, and health equity.

RCPA submitted member comments to DHS in accordance with the request that ensures equity and provider involvement in the ongoing implementation of the plan as well as the utilization of the RHT in Pennsylvania, including the expansion of integrated health ICWC and CCBHC programs, and development of opioid treatment program medication units, which Pennsylvania currently prohibits. The 2025–2030 Pennsylvania Rural Health Plan can be found here.

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On September 15, 2025, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) leadership conducted their fourth SCO Performance-Based Contracting educational session. This session focused on Pay for Performance (P4P) and billing systems changes ODP anticipates. The slide deck for the session can be found here.

The full recording of the session will be posted at a later date to the ODP Performance-Based Contracting (PBC) Resource Page.

Please direct any questions or feedback to Tim Sohosky, RCPA IDD Division Director.

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DSP Magnet has shared a free training resource to help employers create a first day experience that will make DSPs want to stay with your organization. This short video will offer providers tips on:

  • How to connect before the first day;
  • Why the first 30 minutes matter;
  • Using engaging onboarding and training strategies; and
  • Illustrating how to solicit feedback on the employee’s first day experience.

Members can access the free video resource here.

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Photo by René DeAnda on Unsplash

The White House has released the Spring 2025 Current Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions. As a quick reminder, the regulatory agenda is a non-binding statement of intent for regulatory activity that federal agencies plan to act on over the next six to twelve months.

Below are a few notable highlights from the Unified Agenda we’d like to share:

  • The Food and Drug Administration intends to publish a final rule banning the use of Electrical Stimulation (Shock) Devices in May 2026.
  • Also in May 2026, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) intends to publish a final rule on HIPAA Cybersecurity Standards.
  • HHS also intends to continue its rulemaking on state-directed payments for MCOs and provider tax methodology changes.
  • In October 2025, HHS plans to publish a proposed rule that would clarify the existing definition of disability to exclude gender identity disorders and/or gender dysphoria (for the purposes of the non-discrimination requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973).
  • The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) plans to proceed with a rule giving states additional flexibility to use immigration information in determining Medicaid and CHIP eligibility.
  • The Department of Labor will continue its FLSA-related rulemaking (e.g., the companionship and independent contractor rules).

In its preamble to the Unified Agenda, HHS states that its regulatory actions are intended to show its “commitment to managing chronic disease; eliminating unnecessary administrative expenses and rent-seeking practices that increase healthcare costs; battling obesity; ensuring the safety and efficacy of our vaccines; protecting the religious liberty of our medical workforce; and standing up for the health and well-being of biological women, children, and families, among other policy priorities.”

For Questions or Additional Information
Please contact Tom Rice at ANCOR for any follow-up or inquiries related to this update.

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In the last few months, have you thought about leaving the disabilities field?
(You are not alone.)

It’s hard to know what to change when you are feeling overwhelmed and stuck.

This field has turned into a pressure cooker. There’s…

  • Pressure to ensure individuals are safe.
  • Pressure to juggle staffing coverage when you’re short.
  • Pressure from having to add one more thing to do with every phone call, text message, and email.
  • Pressure with this week’s unexpected emergencies.
  • Pressure from constantly fighting fires.

How do you keep going when you are exhausted and wondering why you still do this?

If all of this feels far too familiar, this workshop is for you.

This workshop from DSP Magnet is free and will help you…

  • Feel less alone.
  • Reignite that spark and passion for this work.
  • Bring some fun back to work.

Apply for a FREE spot in this workshop here!

Applications are due Wednesday, September 24, 2025, by 8:00 pm EST. Completing the application does NOT guarantee a spot in the workshop.

Workshop Details:
Wednesday, October 1
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm EST
Presented by Scott de Fasselle of DSP Magnet
Will be hosted on Zoom (link to be provided upon acceptance)

You can contact Scott via email if you have any questions.

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Representative Joe Hohenstein is hosting a disability summit on Thursday, September 25 at the Temple University Student Center, located at 1755 N. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122.

Please consider adding your voice to the discussion about how we can create greater equality and opportunity for our friends and family in the disability community. Registration for this event is now open.

If you have any questions, please contact Rep. Hohenstein’s office at (215) 744-2600.

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