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CMS Announces Establishment of the Office of Rural Health Transformation
Following the creation of the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program under President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cut legislation, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced the establishment of the Office of Rural Health Transformation (ORHT). This new office will be located within the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) and will continue overseeing the RHT Program. The RHT Program is a $50 billion initiative to strengthen rural health systems and expand access to care nationwide. As noted in RCPA’s Alert from December 30, 2025, Pennsylvania will receive nearly $200 million in 2026.
ORHT, which announced approved awardees on December 29, 2025, will guide states in implementing their rural health transformation plans, provide technical assistance, coordinate federal and state partnerships, and ensure strong oversight and accountability throughout the five-year program, which will run through September 30, 2031.
Date Change Announced for March 2026 LTSS Subcommittee Meeting
Due to scheduling conflicts, the March 2026 date for the Long-Terms Services and Supports Subcommittee (LTSS) meeting has been changed. The meeting has been changed from March 4, 2026, to March 11, 2026. The meeting will be held via webinar and remote streaming, from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm.
Questions and comments may be submitted electronically.
FDA Issues Correction for Continuous Glucose Monitoring Software
Dexcom Issues Correction for Dexcom G6 and G6 Pro Software:
This recall involves correcting devices and does not involve removing the devices from where they are used or sold. The FDA has identified this recall as the most serious type. This device may cause serious injury or death if you continue to use it without correction.
Affected Product
- Product Name: Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitoring System G6 and G6 Pro Android US CGM App, Version 1.15.0
- This correction only affects users of v.1.15.0 of the Android US App and does not apply to other users. All affected devices have been updated to resolve this issue.
- Unique Device Identifier (UDI): SW11678: 00386270000811
What to Do
Upgrade from app version 1.15.0 as soon as possible.
On September 18, Dexcom Inc. sent all affected customers an Urgent Medical Device Correction message recommending the following actions:
- Upgrade from app version 1.15.0 as soon as possible.
- Open App Store and search for Dexcom G6 app.
- Install latest Dexcom G6 app version.
- Open Dexcom G6 app.
- Contact Technical Support at 1-844-478-1600 for further assistance.
- Users will no longer be able to use app version 1.15.0 after October 6, 2025.
Reason for Correction
Dexcom Inc. is correcting the Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitoring System’s G6 and G6 Pro Android US CGM App version 1.15.0 due to an identified bug that can cause the app to terminate unexpectedly. As a result, the user may not receive estimated glucose values, alarms, or alerts. If a user is unaware that the app has terminated, there is potential for missed detection of a high blood sugar (hyperglycemic) or low blood sugar (hypoglycemic) event.
The use of affected product may cause serious adverse health consequences, including hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and death.
As of September 16, Dexcom has not reported any serious injuries or deaths associated with this issue.
Device Use
The Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitoring System is a real-time continuous glucose monitoring system that sends glucose readings to a compatible smart device or the Dexcom receiver every five minutes. The Dexcom G6 and G6 Pro Android US CGM App is an application for compatible smart devices that displays glucose levels and trends.
Contact Information
Customers in the U.S. with questions about this recall should contact Dexcom Technical Support at 1-844-478-1600.
Additional FDA Resources
Unique Device Identifier (UDI)
The unique device identifier (UDI) helps identify individual medical devices sold in the United States from manufacturing through distribution to patient use. The UDI allows for more accurate reporting, reviewing, and analyzing of adverse event reports so that devices can be identified, and problems potentially corrected more quickly.
- How do I recognize a UDI on a label?
- AccessGUDID database – Identify Your Medical Device
- Benefits of a UDI System
How do I report a problem?
Health care professionals and consumers may report adverse reactions or quality problems they experienced using these devices to MedWatch: The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program.
AAW Feedback Session on New Assessment Bundle
On July 1, 2025, the Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations (BSASP) rolled out a new assessment bundle for the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW). The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is interested in hearing from Supports Coordinators (SC) and providers on their experiences with implementing the new assessments.
Please join ODP for a Virtual Office Hour (VOH) to share feedback, ask questions, and review resource materials.
Who should attend?
All AAW SCs and Providers
Date: January 30, 2026
Time: 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Register Here
CMS Announces Awards to Strengthen Rural Health; PA to Receive Nearly $200M in 2026
Press release from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services:
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that all 50 states will receive awards under the Rural Health Transformation Program, a $50 billion initiative established under President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts legislation (Public Law 119-21) to strengthen and modernize health care in rural communities across the country. In 2026, states will receive first-year awards from CMS averaging $200 million, within a range of $147 million to $281 million. This unprecedented federal investment will help states expand access to care in rural communities, strengthen the rural health workforce, modernize rural facilities and technology, and support innovative models that bring high-quality, dependable care closer to home.
Awardees and Funding Amounts
The Rural Health Transformation Program’s $50 billion in funds will be allocated to approved states over five years, with $10 billion available each year from 2026 through 2030. As directed by Public Law 119-21:
- 50% of the funding is distributed equally among all approved states. This provides states with a strong foundation to begin implementing their Rural Health Transformation Plans; and
- 50% is allocated based on a variety of factors. As described in the Notice of Funding Opportunity, those factors include individual state metrics around rurality and a state’s rural health system, current or proposed state policy actions that enhance access and quality of care in rural communities, and application initiatives or activities that reflect the greatest potential for, and scale of, impact on the health of rural communities. All scoring factors are outlined further in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
Read the full press release here.
Pennsylvania submitted their plan to CMS in November, and the plan is currently being evaluated. CMS made funding awards to all 50 states, with Pennsylvania receiving $193,294,054.
RCPA continues to work with the Department of Human Services (DHS) in answering questions from members as well as gaining an understanding on the implementation values for PA specific initiatives from both funding allocation pathways.
If you have any questions, please contact RCPA COO Jim Sharp.
Reminder: RCPA to Hold Member Orientation Webinar on January 14, 2026
This is a reminder that RCPA will be holding a membership benefits webinar on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 1:00 pm, as an opportunity for members to orient themselves with all that RCPA membership includes. This is not just for new and future members. For current members, there may be benefits associated with our membership that you may not be aware of, including targeted meetings and groups that are held throughout the year.
Registration is required; please register here to attend the webinar. Attendees will have the opportunity to:
- Virtually meet the dedicated RCPA Policy Staff and RCPA lobbyists;
- Discuss the 2026 Legislative and Administrative priorities;
- Preview RCPA divisional committee and subcommittee meetings and what they offer;
- View the RCPA member-only website;
- Review exclusive yearly educational and networking events; and
- Understand the value of the National Council and ANCOR memberships included with RCPA membership.
Visit the RCPA member benefits web page for more information, or contact Tieanna Lloyd for benefit details.
Pennsylvania Budget Finally Clears, With Not Much Optimism Ahead (RCPA President/CEO Richard Edley Interviewed)
Trump Administration Issues Policy Changes on Provision of Gender-Affirming Care
On January 28, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14187 (Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation), directing federal agencies to cut off federal funding and support for gender-affirming care for people under age 19, including puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and gender-affirming surgery.
On December 18, 2025, health officials from the Trump administration announced several additional policy changes that, if finalized, will have the effect of essentially banning gender-affirming care for transgender young people, even in states where it remains legal.
One rule would prohibit Medicaid from covering any medical care provided to transgender patients younger than age 18 and prohibit reimbursement though CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) for gender-affirming care for patients under 19.
Additionally, all Medicare and Medicaid funding would be blocked for any services at hospitals that provide pediatric gender-affirming care. This means that hospitals and doctors that perform gender-affirming care on minors will have to forgo federal Medicare and Medicaid funding under the new proposed rules. Virtually every hospital in the country relies on this funding, so the rule would have a wide-ranging impact and could likely make gender-affirming care inaccessible nationwide.
The proposed rules would exclude gender dysphoria not caused by physical impairment from civil-rights health care protections, reducing legal safeguards against discrimination in medical care.
This multi-pronged plan from DHS is part of the Trump Administration’s efforts to limit gender-affirming care, and if finalized, could have a profound impact on care delivery for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals.
ODP Announces Employment Service Definition Q&A V.3, Employment Services Quick Guide V.2
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has shared ODPANN 25-117. This communication is intended to inform all interested parties of the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) publication of updated versions of the Intellectual Disability/Autism (ID/A) Employment Services Definition Question and Answer (Q&A) and the Employment Service Definition Quick Guide for ID/A Waivers and Base-Funded Participants.
NOTE: The release of this communication obsoletes ODP Announcement 19-025 – Now Available Updated ID/A Waiver Employment Service Definition Question and Answer Document and ID/A Waiver Employment Service Definition Quick Guide.
Please review the announcement for more details.
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