The Utah Healthcare Education & Research Foundation (UHERF), a 501(c)(3) subsidiary of the Utah Hospital Association (UHA), will oversee the award distribution, budgets and performance measures of nearly $48.2 million in federal funding from the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) to rural hospitals throughout the state.
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — November 5, 2026 — The Utah Healthcare Education & Research Foundation (UHERF), a 501(c)(3) subsidiary of the Utah Hospital Association (UHA), has been designated as the fiscal agent for nearly $48.2 million in federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding. UHERF will oversee the application process, award distribution, budgets, and performance measures for these funds, which are expected to be distributed across roughly 60 contracts to rural hospitals and providers statewide.
“This is an historic opportunity for rural Utah,” said Francis Gibson, President & CEO of the Utah Hospital Association. “As a fiscal agent for this funding, UHERF is committed to making sure every dollar reaches the hospitals and communities that need it most.”
Strengthening Rural Health Care Across Utah
Utah’s push for this funding dates back to last fall, when Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), under the direction of Governor Spencer Cox, put together a rural health plan and sent it to federal regulators for approval. The plan was shaped by months of input from rural communities and health care providers around the state, and centers on four broad goals: improving the health of rural Utahns, building a stronger rural health care workforce, expanding access to innovative care, and bringing new technology to rural health systems.
UHA’s Role
As fiscal agent, UHERF is administering several competitive funding opportunities tied to the state’s RISE, SHIFT, and FAST initiatives. They support rural workforce recruitment and retention, capital infrastructure and equipment upgrades, and financial and specialty-care improvements for rural hospitals and clinics.
How to Apply
Applications are open now through November 20 at 5 p.m. mountain time. Eligible hospitals and providers can review application guidance and a video walkthrough of the process on UHA’s website.
“We want every eligible rural hospital and provider in Utah to apply,” said Matt McCullough, Ph.D., UHA’s Vice President of Rural Hospital Strategy and Executive Director of Rural 9. “This funding is an opportunity to strengthen the local resources rural Utahns depend on every day.”
About the Utah Hospital Association
The Utah Hospital Association, founded in 1920, is the statewide organization representing Utah’s hospitals and health systems. UHA serves 63 acute and specialty hospitals and 10 health systems and management companies, working on their behalf to support a strong health care workforce, improve community health outcomes, and shape policy that keeps hospital care accessible across Utah.
Media Contact:
Marty Carpenter
Northbound Strategy
mcarpenter@northboundstrategy.com
801.971.3601
For specific award amounts, program details, or eligibility questions, media should contact UHA directly.
CMS Disclaimer: This Rural Health Transformation Program is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $195,743,566.29 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.