The funding comes from the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, created through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Arkansas expects to award about $209 million through the program this year and anticipates receiving approximately $1 billion over five years. Nationally, the program provides $50 billion to states through fiscal year 2030.
The newly announced funding is divided between two major initiatives:
$55.7 million for THRIVE, the Telehealth, Health-Monitoring, and Response Innovation for Vital Expansion initiative. The program focuses on expanding telehealth and remote patient monitoring, improving emergency medical response and bringing new health technology to rural areas.
$93.6 million for PACT, the Promoting Access Coordination and Transformation initiative, which is designed to expand access to specialty care, preventive screenings, telehealth and trauma-ready services while encouraging greater coordination among local and regional health providers.
Several of the grants were awarded to facilities and programs in northern Arkansas.
According to the release from the Governor’s Office, North Arkansas Regional Medical Center in Harrison is awarded $3 million for a Rural Health Infrastructure & Access Transformation Initiative, which will renovate a radiation-oncology vault, modernize the emergency department, build a cardiology clinic, add telehealth at two rural clinics, and deploy mobile mammography.
Baxter Health is receiving a pair of grants, including one for $12 million for their Rural Access Network: Regional Collaboration Hub, which will expand specialty and preventive care, modernize infrastructure, and create a regional network intended to serve 2,400 rural residents by Year 5, expand services in 10 clinics, and increase provider data sharing.
One of the grants awarded to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is for just under $3 million and is for their Arkansas Pregnancy Care Connect which will combine mobile teams serving 24 high-need counties with a 24/7 nurse-led pregnancy and postpartum line providing triage, education, referrals, and escalation support.
Oher organizations receiving grants impacting all or parts of the Lakes Region include: Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas, Community Health Centers of Arkansas, Mercy Health Fort Smith, and the Wolfe Street Foundation.
The complete release can be found on the Governor’s Website.
