Transforming rural healthcare in south carolina - south carolina proposes a bold and comprehensive rural health transformation (RHT) plan to address longstanding disparities in health care access,…

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services awarded a Cooperative Agreement to the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services for $1.000151 billion on December 29, 2025, under the Rural Health Transformation Program (CFDA 93.798).

South Carolina's five-initiative rural health transformation plan targets the approximately 1.75 million residents living in rural areas of the state. Connections to Care expands digital infrastructure through electronic health records, remote patient monitoring, telehealth services, and a statewide resource database platform to improve care coordination and access. Leveling Up scales successful pilot programs statewide with focus on chronic disease management, pediatric care quality, and workforce development. Wellness Within Reach deploys mobile health units, crisis response teams, and pop-up clinics to bring care directly to underserved populations. Shoring Up to Sustainability strengthens rural healthcare systems through targeted investments in workforce recruitment and retention, facility upgrades, and provider training. Tech Catalyst Fund supports rural health technology startups and community-based innovations to drive long-term health and economic improvements.

Performance occurs in South Carolina and runs through October 30, 2030. The Rural Health Transformation Program provides one-time, high-impact funding to states to transform health care delivery systems and improve access and health outcomes in rural communities. This is a one-time application and approval process with no renewals or extensions.

Transforming rural healthcare in south carolina - south carolina proposes a bold and comprehensive rural health transformation (RHT) plan to address longstanding disparities in health care access, quality, and outcomes across its rural communities. With approximately 1.75 million residents-32.6% of the state's population-living in rural areas, the state faces disproportionate rates of chronic disease, maternal mortality, and limited access to care due to provider shortages; aging infrastructure; and the geographic and logistical challenges inherent to rural communities. South carolina's RHT plan is designed to transform the rural health care landscape through five integrated, outcomes-driven initiatives: connections to care - expands digital infrastructure by implementing electronic health records, remote patient monitoring, telehealth services and a statewide resource database platform to improve care coordination and access. Leveling up - scales successful pilot programs statewide, focusing on chronic disease management, pediatric care quality, and workforce development. Wellness within reach - deploys mobile health units, crisis response teams, and POP-up clinics to bring care directly to underserved populations. Shoring up to sustainability - strengthens rural healthcare systems through targeted investments in workforce recruitment and retention, facility upgrades, and provider training. Tech catalyst fund - supports rural health technology startups and community-based innovations to drive long-term health and economic improvements. Led by the south carolina department of health and human services, south carolina's plan and its five initiatives, aligns with the RHT's five strategic goals: make rural america healthy again, sustainable access, workforce development, innovative care, and tech innovation. The program emphasizes one-time, high-impact investments that remove systemic barriers and build long-term capacity, with a focus on improving chronic disease and maternal health outcomes across all rural counties. To implement this transformative vision, south carolina is requesting $1 billion in federal funding. This investment will enable the state to modernize rural healthcare infrastructure, expand access to essential services, and build a resilient, sustainable healthcare system that delivers measurable improvements in health outcomes for generations to come.