Anchorage, Alaska
Alaska will receive just over $ 272 million dollars thanks to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The first year of the program saw hundreds of program requests. Applicants included several Anchorage based organizations that proposed services from dermatology to telehealth to a 24 bed expansion for an existing treatment facility. One program that made it to round 2 includes a gardening program modeled after the successful community gardening program called ‘Anchor Gardens.’ Another noted program is one combatting lack of mental healthcare but expanding the ‘Lay counselors’ pool. These peer counselors are trained and supervised by licensed clinicians to assist provide mental health services. Also expansion to YMCA services to include increased childcare capacity, 24-hour access to structured fitness.
Full summary report of the rural health letters of interest https://health.alaska.gov/media/1sligluc/ak-rhtp-letters-of-interest-summary-2026.pdf
The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) is a $50 billion federal opportunity through CMS to improve health care in rural areas across all fifty states. The program is currently administered through the State of Alaska’s Department of Alaska and delegated by the RHTP Advisory Council. Alaska is one of the top recipients nationwide and will receive $272,174,856 in the first year. Funds will be awarded to improve access to care and strengthen the long-term stability of the state’s health care system.
Funding comes to Alaska through the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) and is facilitated through the State of Alaska Department of Health. The accelerator program hosts rounds to provide funding to multiple programs. Initially, the RHTP conducted statewide regional planning meetings and plans to host more. The $ 272 million is just for the first year of funding for 2026. The next Notice of Funding Opportunity will be this fall. Read More: https://health.alaska.gov/en/education/rural-health-transformation-program/
Alaska Public Media: https://alaskapublic.org/news/health/2025-12-30/alaska-set-to-receive-272m-to-overhaul-its-rural-health-care-system
