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.”
