HAWAI'I AFFILIATE OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF NURSE-MIDWIVES
Mahalo for oil painting THE MOUNTAIN IS THE ORACLE by Rene Stawicki IG: oh_paintologist
Photo Credit: Tripler Midwives
POSTED 09/19/25: Rural Health Transformation Program
September 19, 2025
HONOLULU — Governor Josh Green, today announced that the state of Hawai‘i will soon submit a proposal for funding under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), a $50 billion competitive federal grant opportunity aimed at improving healthcare access and outcomes in rural communities nationwide.
“Hawai‘i’s rural and neighbor island communities deserve access to the same high-quality healthcare as the rest of the nation,” said Governor Green. “By pursuing this federal funding, we have the chance to modernize our rural health infrastructure, expand primary and behavioral health services and support the workforce that cares for our people. Together, we can shape a proposal that reflects our islands’ unique challenges and strengths, and ensures healthier futures for all Hawai‘i residents.”
Residents are invited to collaborate by sharing information on community health needs and ideas for potential projects, as well as to submit comments through the state’s public engagement hub at Engage.Hawaii.gov/RHTP. The public is encouraged to provide comments by October 20.
If awarded, this grant would enable Hawai‘i to expand primary care services, strengthen behavioral health integration and invest in workforce development for rural and neighbor island communities. Hawaiʻi’s proposal will focus on reducing health disparities, modernizing rural health infrastructure and improving coordination among healthcare providers, to ensure timely and continuous care for residents across the islands, among other priorities.
The Office of the Governor, in collaboration with the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services Med-Quest Division, will oversee the development of this application and will provide updates. Hawaiʻi’s application is due to the federal government on November 5, 2025.
The State of Hawai‘i will soon submit a proposal for funding under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). RHTP is a new, federal initiative authorized under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Section 71401, Public Law 119-21) that empowers states to address the healthcare challenges faced by rural and remote communities. With Hawaiʻi’s unique geography and dispersed rural populations, this program offers an opportunity to build lasting solutions tailored to our needs.
Beginning in fiscal year 2026, the RHTP will provide $50 billion in funding nationwide over five years — $25 billion will be distributed equally to all approved states, with the remaining $25 billion allocated based on state-specific factors and CMS discretion.
States must submit one comprehensive plan to CMS by November 5th, 2025. This plan will describe how Hawaiʻi intends to use RHTP funds over the next five years. CMS will evaluate RHTP proposals by how they meet the following five Strategic Goals:
Support rural health innovations and new access points to promote preventative health and address root causes of diseases. Projects will use evidence-based, outcomes-driven interventions to improve disease prevention, chronic disease management, behavioral health, and prenatal care.
Help rural providers become long-term access points for care by improving efficiency and sustainability. With RHT Program support, rural facilities work together—or with high-quality regional systems—to share or coordinate operations, technology, primary and specialty care, and emergency services.
Attract and retain a high-skilled healthcare workforce by strengthening recruitment and retention of healthcare providers in rural communities. Help rural providers practice at the top of their license and develop a broader set of providers to serve a rural community’s needs, such as community health workers, pharmacists, and individuals trained to help patients navigate the healthcare system.
Spark the growth of innovative care models to improve health outcomes, coordinate care, and promote flexible care arrangements. Develop and implement payment mechanisms incentivizing providers or Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) to reduce healthcare costs, improve quality of care, and shift care to lower cost settings.
Foster use of innovative technologies that promote efficient care delivery, data security, and access to digital health tools by rural facilities, providers, and patients. Projects support access to remote care, improve data sharing, strengthen cybersecurity, and invest in emerging technologies.
If awarded, this grant would enable Hawai‘i to expand primary care services, strengthen behavioral health integration, and invest in workforce development for rural and neighbor island communities. The Office of the Governor, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Med-Quest Division will oversee the development of this application and will provide updates.
Residents are invited to collaborate by sharing information on community health needs, ideas for potential projects, and comments through the state’s public engagement hub at Engage.Hawaii.gov/RHTP.
POSTED 09/03/25: COMMUNITY FIRST HEALTH CONFERENCE
Hawai'i Island Healthcare Conference
October 2nd & 3rd, 2025
Waikaloa Beach Marriott, Hawai'i
10/02/25 @ 1:45 pm
Maternal Newborn Health - A Team Effort: Midwives and Physicians Caring for Our Future
The presenter and panel will include midwives who have been providing the midwifery model of care for over 20 years in clinics, hospitals, and in the other community settings on Hawai`i Island. We will present an overview of midwifery in the United States, in Hawai`i, and specifically on Hawai`i Island. We will briefly discuss the problems we face in Hawai`i regarding maternal/newborn health. We will show how the midwifery model of care is a solution to many of these problems and how collaboration with our OBGYN partners and others improves overall outcomes for our patients. A panel following the presentation will convene to remark on the presentation and to share viewpoints. Audience questions and comments will be welcomed.
Annette Manant, PhD, APRN, Certified Nurse Midwife
President of the Hawai`i Affiliate of the American College of Nurse Midwives
Diane Hale, RN, MSN, Regional Chief Nurse Executive, West Hawai`i Region
Margaret Ragen, CM, LM, MS, Owner & Certified Midwife, 'Ōhi'a Midwifery & Wellness
Dr. Mark Rhee, Obstetrics and Gynecology Chair, Ali`i Health Center & Kona Community Hospital Patricia Hopkins, CNM, MSN, Certified Nurse Midwife
Roxanne Estes, CNM, Certified Nurse Midwife