At a time when persistent workforce shortages and other obstacles continue to limit access to behavioral health services in remote areas, a new federal initiative is giving a boost to communities in all 50 states. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) last December announced that every state would receive first-year funding under the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).
An average RHTP award of $200 million to each state will support efforts to improve access to substance use and mental health care in rural communities, bringing services closer to home for many individuals in need. A recent brief from the National Governors Association outlines states’ anticipated strategies for making the most out of this time-limited (fiscal years 2026-2030) opportunity. The total federal investment in this initiative over time is expected to reach $50 billion.
The Governors’ Policy Actions on Behavioral Health Access paper lists integration of behavioral health services among the most impactful courses of action. “Expanding access to mental health and substance use disorder services in primary care settings through integrating care has been noted as one of the most efficient ways to expand access without relying on workforce growth,” the report notes. “Through embedding behavioral health services into primary care settings, states can expand the capacity of their existing workforce to meet the demand with a qualified, well-distributed and supported staff.” Maximizing the use of technology to support integrated care at the provider level will be essential to this effort.
The paper cites several examples of states’ planned efforts in integrating care. Illinois’ application for funding identified existing primary care providers as the first point of contact for rural substance use and mental health services. Collaborative care efforts will include embedding primary care professionals in rural outpatient care settings.
Oklahoma will continue to build on the significant progress it has made in integrated care via the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model. The state “is working to further integrate care by bringing together existing behavioral health and primary care providers who are interested in prescribing medication for opioid use disorder in primary care settings,” the report states.
Louisiana’s rural care initiative will also emphasize expanding access to medication treatments for opioid use disorder. The state has identified the need to expand telehealth infrastructure as a key component of its service expansion goals in rural communities.
The paper’s authors wrote in conclusion, “By building upon existing initiatives and aligning RHTP with complementary funding streams, state can address immediate priorities while positioning these solutions for sustainable growth during RHTP implementation and beyond.”
Providers that have the technology to support coordinated care will have a distinct advantage in implementing these and other access-expanding initiatives. We at Sigmund Software stand ready to partner with like-minded providers to achieve comprehensive solutions that enhance patient outcomes.