Why is this funding important?
Ohio is largely a rural state. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 73 of Ohio’s 88 counties are designated as fully rural or have a significant rural footprint. These counties contain 38% of Ohio’s population, or roughly 4.4 million people. Rural counties often face challenges around healthcare access and infrastructure, with fewer physicians per capita and limited access to specialty care. All of these challenges have resulted in clear differences in health outcomes for Ohioans living in urban vs. non-urban settings, with those in rural communities experiencing higher rates of age-adjusted premature mortality and chronic disease.
Goals of the Program
The Ohio Rural Health Transformation Program aims to address the challenges facing rural communities by improving sustainable access to care, developing innovative technologies and care models, and strengthening recruitment and retention of a skilled health care workforce. Ohio has already implemented initiatives and programs to align with these goals, such as the OH SEE program, which provides ophthalmology services to Ohio’s students via mobile services, and the creation of Ohio Rural Health Innovation Hubs in the form of clinically integrated networks, rural health regional centers of excellence, and pharmacy networks to improve access to high-quality, lower-cost care.
Currently Available Funding
As of early January 2026, a Request for Proposal (RFP) has been posted on the OhioBuys website related to the Rural Health Workforce Pipeline; Pathways, Upscaling, and Retention initiative. Opportunities for rural health care organizations to utilize these funds relate to recruitment and retention incentives and 6-month housing stipends for those who relocate to serve in rural communities for a minimum 5-year commitment. Other opportunities for use of funding include the cost of filling various healthcare capacities, such as MDs/DOs, nurses, pharmacists, behavioral health, oral health, and others, as well as identifying and promoting continuing education opportunities. Proposals will be accepted from January 2, 2026, through March 10, 2026, at 3pm EST and include a technical proposal and a cost proposal. As RFP’s are awarded, it’s imperative that providers identify which initiatives they qualify for and work to become enrolled in those programs.
Contact Us
As RFPs are awarded, please reach out for help identifying which initiatives your organization may qualify for and enroll in. Blue & Co. is closely monitoring information releases and will share more guidance as information becomes available. If you have any questions in the interim, please do not hesitate to reach out to one of our experts.
