Oregon Office of Rural Health

Oregon Office of Rural Health

The Oregon Rural Health Collaborative will begin RHTP regional convenings in August

Introducing the Oregon Rural Health Collaborative: Oregon’s RHTP Regional Convenings

Starting in August, the Oregon Rural Health Collaborative will launch the first regional convenings for the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), bringing together healthcare and community partners across rural Oregon to strengthen regional collaboration in preparation for the federal investment in rural health.  
 
The Oregon Rural Health Collaborative team is part of the Oregon Office of Rural Health (ORH) and has been assembled to support the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) in implementing the RHTP, created through the 2025 federal budget reconciliation package, H.R. 1.  
 
The team is being led by Sarah Andersen, ORH's director of Field Services, and supported by Arianne Powell, program manager; Kenna Dickard, technical assistance specialist; and Nicole Bales, communications coordinator.  
 
Together, the team will administer Transformation Awards (i.e., direct awards) to eligible rural hospitals and certified Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), provide technical assistance to organizations that are planning or implementing rural health projects, and facilitate regional planning to help communities prepare competitive applications for year 3 RHTP funding.  
 
"At ORH, we're proud to serve as a trusted partner in this work," Andersen said. "Through expert facilitation, targeted technical assistance and collaborative regional partnerships, we'll support rural communities across eight regions as they build thriving, sustainable healthcare systems. Our team brings deep rural health expertise, a proven track record of managing complex grant programs and a commitment to helping communities achieve lasting impact — not just compliance. We're excited to partner with rural Oregon every step of the way, from strategic planning to application, implementation and sustainable impact."  
 
H.R. 1 will reduce Medicaid spending over the next decade, with rural hospitals and clinics — many of which already operate on thin margins — expected to face disproportionate impacts.  
 
While not designed to offset the impacts of H.R. 1 program cuts, the federal bill established the RHTP, a $50 billion investment in rural health nationwide over five years. The funding will provide critical support as rural communities navigate a decrease in Medicaid funding. Regional collaboration and strategic planning will help ensure the investment has the greatest possible impact. 
 
The regional convenings are designed to help communities build stronger partnerships, identify shared priorities, support implementation of rural health initiatives and prepare for future RHTP funding opportunities. 
 
One in-person convening will be held in each region in August or September 2026. Between January and July 2027, the Oregon Rural Health Collaborative will host four additional in-person meetings in each region, supplemented by regular virtual meetings to support ongoing collaboration, technical assistance and progress toward regional priorities. 
 
For the initial convenings, counties have been grouped based on geographic proximity and existing partnerships. These regional groupings are intended to provide a starting point and may evolve as collaboration develops. 

  • Region 1: Columbia, Clatsop, Tillamook and Lincoln counties.  
  • Region 2: Hood River, Wasco, Sherman and Gilliam counties.   
  • Region 3: Wallowa, Union, Umatilla, Morrow, Grant and Baker counties.   
  • Region 4: Jefferson, Wheeler, Crook and Deschutes counties.   
  • Region 5: Lake, Harney and Malheur counties.   
  • Region 6: Curry, Coos and the Northwestern portion of Douglas counties.   
  • Region 7: Douglas, Josephine, Jackson and Klamath counties.   
  • Region 8: Lane, Linn, Benton, Polk, Marion, Yamhill, Washington and Clackamas counties.  

To ensure broad representation across each county, while maintaining a meeting size that allows for productive discussion and relationship building, one person has been invited from each participating organization.  
 
Invited partners include rural hospitals, RHCs, EMS, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), local public health authorities, coordinated care organizations (CCOs), community colleges, community-based organizations (CBOs), social service organizations, Tribal health partners, behavioral health providers and other regional partners. 
 
If your organization did not receive an invitation to attend a convening, and you believe it should be included, please complete this survey.  
 
For questions about the Oregon Rural Health Collaborative, email Sarah Andersen or Arianne Powell.