Rural Health Association of Tennessee (RHA) is working hard to ensure that the federal Rural Health Transformation Program dollars made available by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, enacted into law on July 4, 2025, are directed to rural hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) as intended. 

These funds are an attempt to offset losses that rural health providers will experience associated with other health provisions in the legislation, particularly the Medicaid program. Rural Health Association of Tennessee is advocating that 90% of funds go directly to the Rural Facility types named in the CMS Request for Proposals (100% minus 10% administration).

For additional information about this program, we recommend:

• National Rural Health Association - Rural Health Transformation Program
  
• Tennessee Department of Health - Rural Health Access Page

RHA's Rural Health Transformation Recommendations

Rural Health Association of Tennessee (RHA) is accepting proposals for the following: 

Rural Health Dashboard Rebuild

Rural Health Association of Tennessee (RHA) invites proposals from qualified individuals and/or organizations to update and rebuild our Tennessee Rural Health Dashboard. The purpose of the dashboard is to answer the common question “What is rural” and serve as a comprehensive data source of rural facilities in Tennessee. We often see this dashboard referenced in presentations on rural health, grant applications, and policy papers.

Rural Health Association of Tennessee (RHA) has been awarded a grant from Tennessee Department of Health (Z-25-314278) intended to help grantees deliver integrated, high-quality, comprehensive prevention and healthcare services, and innovative care delivery models that are evidence-informed throughout rural areas in the state. These investments may include innovative projects that improve access to health and healthcare services for rural populations, and funding to support transition to alternative care models to address community need.

Scope of Work

As part of this historic opportunity, RHA is in process of closing on a building located at 159 Court Square, Huntingdon, TN. The following Request for Proposals is to seek a contractor/s for the following.

Help improve disaster planning.

Researchers at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center are conducting a study to understand how advance practice nurses, community pharmacists, and primary care physicians response to disasters. The online survey will take about 5 minutes to complete. Responses are confidential and will help to understand perceptions about disasters. To participate, you should be at least 18 years old and an advance practice nurse, community pharmacist, or primary care physician who practices in EastTennessee.

https://uthsc.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3F8wwi9iQuHoAE6

In July of 2021, Rural Health Association of Tennessee (RHA) received a “Notice of Award” from Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) about a funding opportunity to build strategies and best practices to reduce COVID-19 risk across the state of Tennessee in underserved and rural communities. The contract (GR-21-73441) totaling $2,468,000 was made possible by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Under this grant which concluded May 31st, 2024, RHA provided services to individuals from all 95 counties in Tennessee, sponsored education for thousands of learners, and established better supports for our School Health, Rural Hospital, Rural Health Clinic, FQHC, and Mental and Behavioral Health Members.

Click to view the Final Report

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the U.S. Congress enacted the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). Among other things, FFCRA required state Medicaid programs keep beneficiaries enrolled through the end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) in exchange for enhanced federal funding.

In preparation of the PHE ending, RHA signed a contract with the State of Tennessee, Department of Finance and Administration, Division of TennCare (TennCare) for “Advocacy and Outreach Services During the COVID-19 Unwinding Period.” This contract allowed RHA to expand upon and later sustain the work that began as part of the TDH contract.

In 2021, Rural Health Association of Tennessee (RHA) received a contact from Tennessee Department of Health (TDH), Office of Minority Health, via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HRSA).

The service goal of this contract was to improve the health of people in rural Tennessee by providing activities for COVID-19 advocacy, communication, and health education. As part of the strategy to provide accurate education regarding COVID-19, vaccinations, and overall population health improvement, RHA contracted with the Men’s Health Network of Tennessee (MHN) to develop and disseminate a Certified Men’s Health Educator training.

Governor Lee’s proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 – 2025 budget included proposed funding for most of the Rural Health Task Force's recommendations. 

We are happy to share that the appropriations bill passed by Tennessee's 113th General Assembly. The table below outlines the approved rural health care initiatives, funding for FY 2024 – 2025. 

The 2024-2026 State Health Plan seeks to provide a pathway for achieving the Department’s vision: Healthy People, Healthy Communities, Healthy Tennessee.

Through evaluating data and engaging partners and the public to create recommendations across the four sections of the State Health Plan Framework (1. A Healthy Start; 2. A Healthy Life; 3. A Healthy Environment; 4. A Healthy System of Care), the Plan outlines how Tennesseans can work together to improve the health status of Tennesseans.

Download the Health Plan

Community Training, Education, and Access for Medical Students (Community TEAMS) Act - H.R. 7258

Research shows that medical students receiving education and training in rural and underserved communities are more likely to stay and practice in those areas. The Community TEAMS Act will increase medical school clinical rotations in rural and underserved areas, strengthening the physician workforce pipeline and leading to greater healthcare access in these communities.

The below is from the Cleveland Daily Banner, December 30, 2023

RHA Staff Deliver Prescription-drug Take-back boxes 

In August, Big South Fork Medical Center, announced the opening of Myrtle Recovery Centers, its alcohol and drug treatment facility at the Oneida hospital.

October 31st, Jessica Rackley, RHA's Rural Community Opioid Response Program (TN-RCORP) Director, and Jacy Warrell, RHA's CEO traveled to Oneida to deliver two prescription drug take-back boxes to be placed at the hospital.

The 2023 Membership Voting is open 

Members may login to RHA's Website for details, including:

• 2024 Board Officers
• 2024 Board Members (Each candidate's application is available to view on the Member Landing page)
• Bylaw Changes (summary of proposed changes is on the Member Landing page)
• 2024 Proposed Advocacy Priorities 
  
  

Voting will remain open through November 16th (Rural Health Day) and results will be shared at our Annual Member Meeting on Friday November 17th (end of Annual Conference).

The voting link will also be available in RHA's Conference App.

Be There 

Reducing Stigma and Encouraging Recovery

The Tennessee Rural Community Opioid Response Program (TN-RCORP) Consortium, a program of Rural Health Association of Tennessee (RHA), is announcing their new "Be There" initiative.

With the goal of reducing stigma and encouraging support, the campaign aims to bring awareness to the benefits of being there for those battling behavioral health issues including substance use disorder (SUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD).

Rural Health Association of Tennessee (RHA) is proud to announce it has been awarded a sub-contract from Findhelp as part of TennCare's Health Starts Initiative.

Findhelp is a technology company that connects individuals needing social care services with community providers in an efficient and easy-to-navigate Closed-Loop Referral System (CLRS), while protecting privacy. They will provide the technology that allows TennCare to assess non-medical risk factors of individuals in need through a unified approach and refer them to community-based organizations that can meet their needs, while tracking outcomes.

Welcome Christin McWhorter, RHC Network Director

Christin will be working with the Rural Health Clinic (RHC) Advisory Committee and Network Members by facilitating professional development opportunities, technical assistance, and advocacy opportunities for rural providers and administrators.

Christin has more than 17 years of experience working with and advocating for vulnerable communities. Prior to joining RHA, Christin served as the Community Outreach Manager for the Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability where she oversaw the agency’s community service programs including the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).

Tennessee public school students are required to turn in the state department of health immunization certificate before returning to the classroom. The list of required vaccinations are here. VFC helps families of children who may not otherwise have access to vaccines by providing free vaccines to doctors who serve them. 

Who Is Eligible for the VFC Program?

Children ages 18 years or younger who meet at least one of the following requirements:

What is the Certified Rural Health Clinic Professional Course (CRHCP) ?
RHCs have unique rules and regulations that require specialized knowledge and expertise. The course is designed specifically for Directors, Clinic Administrators, and other RHC leaders and covers all aspects of operating a successful RHC, including federal and state regulations, billing and coding, financial management, human resources, and more. Industry experts will provide you with the tools and resources needed to effectively manage your clinic, ensuring that it thrives and grows. 

Scholarships:
We are excited to offer a limited number of scholarships valued at $600 for those interested in completing the course! Applications must be received by August 31st, 2023. Click here to download and fill out the application. Please return it to Christin McWhorter, [email protected].

Please join TN-RCORP members, Power of Putnam and Tennessee Tech’s Counseling Honor Society Tau Tau, for a collaborative symposium to discuss new developments and best practices in substance use prevention and recovery. In person and virtual options are available.