Across the country, states are receiving new federal funding through the Rural Health Transformation Program, an initiative designed to improve health care access and outcomes in rural and underserved communities. With state award amounts now announced, decisions about how these funds will be used are moving quickly.
This moment presents an important opportunity, especially for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), who are often left out of large-scale health improvement efforts despite facing significant health disparities.
What is the Rural Health Transformation Program?
The Rural Health Transformation Program, authorized by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Section 71401 of Public Law 119-21), provides states with funding and flexibility to strengthen rural health systems. While each state will take a different approach, the program generally focuses on:
Expanding access to health care services
Improving care coordination and quality
Strengthening the rural health workforce
Addressing health disparities
Enabling technological innovation
States are now developing plans that determine which populations are prioritized, which partners are engaged, and how success will be measured.
Why This Matters for People with I/DD
People with I/DD who live in rural communities often face additional barriers to good health, including fewer providers with I/DD-specific experience, long travel distances for care, and limited coordination between medical services and long-term supports.
Without intentional inclusion, people with I/DD may not fully benefit from new investments, even when those investments are designed to improve equity. Including people with I/DD in planning from the beginning helps ensure that system improvements reflect real needs and lead to better outcomes.
The Power of Advocacy Right Now
With funding levels now public, this is a critical window for advocacy. Providers, advocacy organizations, families, and self-advocates can help shape how Rural Health Transformation funds are used by:
Asking state leaders how people with I/DD are included in program plans
Encouraging states to recognize people with I/DD as a priority population
Sharing data and lived experience that highlight rural I/DD health needs
Supporting partnerships between health systems and disability service providers
Early engagement can influence priorities, metrics, and investments — before plans are finalized.
How IntellectAbility Helps Advance Inclusion
IntellectAbility supports inclusive health transformation by helping organizations understand and address health risks specific to people with I/DD. Through practical tools, training, and quality-focused strategies, IntellectAbility helps providers and policymakers integrate disability-informed approaches into broader health initiatives.
By ensuring that people with I/DD are considered in risk identification, quality improvement, and workforce training, IntellectAbility helps states and providers strengthen health outcomes while advancing the goals of rural health transformation. Learn more about IntellectAbility at ReplacingRisk.com
Looking Ahead
The Rural Health Transformation Program represents a promising opportunity to improve health care in rural communities. With intentional planning and advocacy, these investments can also help reduce long-standing health inequities for people with I/DD.
Now that funding decisions are underway, voices from the disability community matter more than ever. Inclusion today can lead to healthier outcomes tomorrow — for people with I/DD and the communities that support them. Let’s ensure that states put #IDDinRHTP!
Dr. Craig Escudé is President of IntellectAbility.
Stay Informed on the Latest Research & Analysis from ANCOR
