CARSON CITY, NV – November 13, 2025
Allison Genco Herzik
Chief of Staff, Nevada Health Authority
a.gencoherzik@nvha.nv.gov
On Monday, November 3, Governor Joe Lombardo and the Nevada Health Authority submitted the state’s application request for $200 million a year in new federal funds from the Rural Health Transformation Program.
The Rural Health Transformation Program was recently established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and will provide a historic $50 billion in new federal grants to states over the next five years. The focus of these funds is on strengthening rural healthcare systems nationwide. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will determine how much states will be awarded no later than December 31 with disbursement of funds expected early 2026. Nevada may receive more or less than the proposed $200 million budget in the state’s application.
“As Governor, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges rural Nevadans face trying to get the care they need,” stated Governor Lombardo. “Thanks to President Trump and Congress, Nevada is now poised to deploy hundreds of millions in new targeted investments in the state’s rural healthcare system over the next five years, benefiting the lives of thousands of Nevadans.”
“This new grant helps build on the work we have already begun at the Nevada Health Authority to strengthen the state’s provider workforce and drive more innovation and efficiencies in the state’s healthcare system,” said Stacie Weeks, Director.
Nevada’s application reflects feedback from hundreds of stakeholders, including providers, trade associations, public health, academic institutions, non-profit organizations, private vendors, and consumers. To receive public input, Governor Lombardo established an online statewide survey. The Nevada Health Authority collected over 300 responses and ideas for uses for the new federal funds.
The state’s application reflects four key initiatives. The first initiative—the Rural Health Outcomes Accelerator Program—will focus on funding new innovative ways to prevent and manage chronic conditions in rural Nevada. The second initiative is a new flex fund for rural hospitals and clinics to pay for new modern equipment, services and technology that will strengthen the local public health infrastructure. To address gaps in the healthcare workforce, the third initiative creates a new rural-focused grant program for workforce initiatives. Lastly, the state’s application includes a new grant program for proposals that will promote healthcare innovation through new technology that will modernize and improve how rural Nevadans access care.
For more information on the state’s application, see https://nvha.nv.gov/Community/Rural_Health_Transformation
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