NC Gov Stein Signs RHTP Law & DHHS Selects ROOTS Hub Leads
Key Questions
What law did NC Gov. Stein recently sign for rural health?
NC Gov. Stein signed House Bill 696 (H696), codifying $213 million for the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) into law. The bill includes reporting requirements through 2030. This advances rural health initiatives amid challenges like Medicaid cuts affecting rural hospitals and services.
Who were selected as the ROOTS Hub leads by DHHS?
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced the following ROOTS Hub leads: Impact Health for Region 1, Trillium for Regions 2 and 5, Vaya for Region 3, UNC for Region 4, and Access East for Region 6. These organizations will advance six rural health initiatives, including regional networks, workforce development, and digital tools. Partnerships, grants, and RFPs are expected soon for hospitals, FQHCs, RHCs, and providers ahead of October.
What UNC funding supports rural health workforce programs?
The UNC System awarded over $6.4 million in state-funded grants to expand rural health programs across 100 counties. This supports workforce development as part of the ROOTS Hubs initiatives. The grants focus on regional networks, workforce training, and digital tools despite an innovation funding cap of 15%.
NC Gov Stein signs H696 codifying $213M RHTP into law with reporting thru 2030; DHHS announces ROOTS Hub leads (Impact Health R1, Trillium R2/5, Vaya R3, UNC R4, Access East R6) advancing 6 initiatives for rural health incl UNC System $6.4M workforce grants across 100 counties (regional networks, workforce, digital tools). Medicaid cuts hitting rural hosps/services (dialysis) despite funds (innovation 15% cap); official state signals implementation momentum; partnerships/grants/RFPs imminent pre-Oct for hosps/FQHCs/RHCs/providers. Confirmed via DHHS/Gov releases/news/UNC.