Department of Health seeks public input on Rural Health Transformation Program

The Wyoming Department of Health is conducting a series of public meetings to gather input on rural healthcare challenges, strength and opportunities in anticipation of applying for federal funding provided through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).

Part of that law, which President Trump signed into law July 4, 2025, creates the Rural Health Transformation Program. This new program offers Wyoming a significant opportunity to strengthen rural healthcare through sustainable, innovative and transformative solutions. If Wyoming’s application is approved, the state is eligible to receive between $500 and $800 million over the next five years, pending federal approval.

Funding under this program is intended to support priorities such as chronic disease prevention and behavioral health; sustaining access to care in rural communities; innovative approaches to care delivery and payment models; workforce development and training; technological and consumer health solutions; and IT advances and technical assistance.

The public meetings have been scheduled to ensure that Wyoming’s proposal reflects the needs of Wyoming’s rural communities. The only one of them in the Big Horn Basin is Thursday, Sept. 18, at noon at the Powell City Council chambers.  

Virtual meetings are slated for Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 10 a.m. (https://meet.google.com/gqu-paht-diq) and Thursday, Sept. 25, at 2 p.m. (https://meet.google.com/kvd-jvuj-trh). 

Later this fall, the Department of Health will release a statewide survey to collect additional input and help refine Wyoming’s priorities for the application.

These engagement opportunities will be posted to the Wyoming Department of Health site for this project: https://health.wyo.gov/admin/rural-health-transformation-program/.

“Wyoming’s rural communities understand better than anyone how the state can best support them. Local voices will guide us in identifying where investments make the most difference and how the state can play a constructive role in making the most of this unique opportunity,” said Stefan Johansson, director of the Wyoming Department of Health.

For more information and updates, visit: https://health.wyo.gov/admin/rural-health-transformation-program/.