NH HHS says rural health transformation grant submitted; CMS review, budget talks expected

Lori Weaver, commissioner of Health and Human Services, told the Health and Human Services Oversight Committee on Nov. 21 that the department submitted its rural health transformation grant application on Nov. 4 and has posted a public summary of the proposal.

Weaver said the summary reflects feedback from “communities, providers throughout the entire state” and that the application teams will enter a review and question period with the federal agency that administers such grants. “On 11/04 at approximately 09:37PM, we submitted our grant,” Weaver said, adding the department will engage with CMS, answer questions and negotiate budget components before learning what is approved.

Why it matters: if funded, the award would trigger rapid procurement and program startup in January–March and require the state to accept and expend funds and work with the governor’s office administrative unit the department calls “Go North.” Weaver told the committee the department captured nearly all community suggestions within grant parameters but cautioned some ideas were not allowable under grant rules.

Details: Weaver said the department will not know formal approvals or budget lines until Dec. 31. She noted the grant allows some administrative hiring within a 10% cap and that staff augmentation will be required to administer awarded programs. Weaver also emphasized the proposal prioritized rural health needs gathered through requests for information and partner meetings.

What’s next: the department will respond to CMS questions, revise budget details as needed and, if awarded, move quickly to procurement and contract stages under the governor’s administrative oversight.