News

Today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that applications for the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) are now open for states to apply. Enacted as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the RHTP is a $50 billion program. Funding is to be allocated to approved states over five years, with $10 billion available each year beginning in federal FY26 (Oct. 1 – Sept. 30, 2026).

Half of the funding will be evenly distributed to all states with an approved application. The remainder will be awarded to approved states based on individual state metrics and applications that reflect the greatest potential for and scale of impact on the health of rural communities. Applications must come from a state government agency or office and include a letter of endorsement signed by the governor.

There are several key considerations to keep in mind regarding the RHTP:

Application deadline: States have until Nov. 5 to apply, and this will be a one-time application. CMS will announce approved states by Dec. 31 and begin disbursing funds in 2026.

Program goals: The RHTP outlines five strategic goals rooted in the statutorily approved uses of funds:

Make rural America healthy again: Support rural health innovations and new access points to promote preventive health and address root causes of diseases.

Sustainable access: Help rural providers become long-term access points for care by improving efficiency and sustainability.

Workforce development: Attract and retain a highly skilled health care workforce by strengthening recruitment and retention of health care providers in rural communities.

Innovative care: Spark the growth of innovative care models to improve health outcomes, coordinate care and promote flexible care arrangements.

Tech innovation: Foster use of innovative technologies that promote efficient care delivery, data security and access to digital health tools by rural facilities, providers and patients.

States will receive and manage funds: Unlike previous federal relief programs, the RHTP does not provide direct payments to rural providers and clinics. Instead, states must apply for and manage the funds, with CMS approval.

CCBHC-specific considerations: The RHTP specifically directs applying states to provide a current list of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) entities within their state as of Sept. 1, 2025, every active site of care associated with each CCBHC entity, and the address of every active site of care. For applications without this information, CMS will estimate the number of CCBHCs in the state using the most recent list of CCBHCs as maintained by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the list of CCBHCs supported through the Section 223 CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration and through SAMHSA-administered CCBHC Expansion (CCBHC-E) Grants, and State-certified CCBHCs listed on state government websites for states that use other Medicaid authority to designate CCBHCs (such as Medicaid State Plan rehabilitation authority). The addresses of these CCBHCs sites, as available, will be compared to rural area designations using the current HRSA definition of rurality to determine whether a CCBHC is in a rural area.

CMS will host two informational webinars on the RHTP (registration required): this Friday, Sept. 19, 3 p.m. ET and Thursday, Sept. 25, 3 p.m. ET.. The National Council for Mental Wellbeing will also host an informational webinar on the RHTP following these CMS sessions, with a date to be determined.

We will continue to provide updates and information related to the RHTP as they become available. If you have any questions regarding the program or any of the other information detailed here, please reach out to us at Policy@TheNationalCouncil.org.

@National Council for Mental Wellbeing

https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-launches-landmark-50-billion-rural-health-transformation-program?mkt_tok=NzczLU1KRi0zNzkAAAGc7gu4c7V16LFyUqJpcxENoD92lzRTh26n6SVNytlkVPuU9X5fXUJt-2eYAnQv1pL2JVz1YjPt0N-J9jEjP_0UDMBAN8kaM-k3S2dFcNqfDBzlow

As a follow up to the recent news regarding Florida State Bill 1580, ACA has developed and compiled additional resources to support counselors who may be facing practice-related challenges to serving clients who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. These include: NEW, user-friendly resources that will guide members on how to effectively engage with their state’s attorney general and legislators on issues of interest. Templates to help you schedule meetings and email your legislators your concerns. Two new Voice of Counseling podcast episodes that discuss advocacy, transgender equality and allyship; and anti-transgender legislation, laws and legal cases and the counselor’s role in supporting transgender clients. A collection of ACA statements which reinforce ACA’s stance on policy that does not support the ACA Code of Ethics. We continue to monitor the more than 1,000 pieces of LGBTQ+ related legislation introduced or pending in 2023 state legislative sessions. A synopsis of those bills is below: Positive - 200+ bills Negative - 520+ bills (in 41 states) Watching - 200+ bills 220+ are specifically anti-transgender, including: 125+ gender-affirming care bans 45+ sports bans 30+ “bathroom” bills 100+ curriculum censorship bills 35+ religious refusals 45+ anti-drag performance bills Harmful anti-LGBTQ+ bills passed = 48 Harmful anti-LGBTQ+ bills at or approaching the governor’s desk = 22 Pro-LGBTQ+ bills passed = 8 More than 140 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have passed the first chamber of the legislature. For more information or if you would like to become involved in ACA’s advocacy efforts, please contact the Government Affairs and Public Policy team at advocacy@counseling.org.

Dear Colleagues,     Last week, the Biden Administration awarded $1.6 billion in funding to address the nation’s worsening addiction and overdose crisis. The U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), will issue funding for prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support to four federal programs.    SAMSHA’s State Opioid Response (SOR) grant program will allot formula funding to states to increase access to treatment medications for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). SOR will grant $1,439,500,000 to 58 states/territories for prevention and recovery support services. You can find a list of awardees here.    Funding will be awarded to SAMSHA’s Tribal Opioid Response (TOR) grant programs to increase access to treatment and recovery support services in Tribal communities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), data shows the deaths by overdose in American Indians and Alaska Natives rose to 75% above the national average. TOR will grant $54,976,150 to 102 Tribal entities to address these concerns. You can find a list of TOR awardees here.    Technical Assistance programs for SOR and TOR will receive $16.6 million in funding for education and training to states that provide free educational resources to communities and individuals. SOR/TOR Technical Assistance programs ensure the provision of evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support programs/services across the SOR/TOR programs.    Lastly, HRSA’s Rural Communities Opioid Response Program will grant $104 million to expand treatment and prevention services in rural areas for substance use disorders (SUD) and OUD. The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program is a multi-year initiative aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality in communities with decreased access to resources.    In 2021, according to the CDC, more than 107,000 people died by overdose. The Biden Administration plans to tackle this growing crisis and these funds will focus on providing evidence-based support and person-centered care.    For any questions, or if you would like to get involved in ACA’s advocacy efforts, please contact the ACA Government Affairs and Public Policy team at advocacy@counseling.org.    American Counseling Association PO Box 31110 Alexandria, VA 22310-9110 (p) 800-298-2276 | (f) 800-473-2329

Since the expansion began:

The number of Nebraskans without health insurance has dropped 14.5%.

Nebraska hospitals saw a $20 million reduction in the amount of charity or unpaid care they had to write off.

Bankruptcy filings in the state fell by 23.5%.

https://omaha.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/expanded-medicaid-leaves-fewer-nebraskans-without-health-coverage/article_3d9e91e8-38fa-11ed-bdbb-47e8fa6fbef7.html

We have reached out to clarify whether Healthy Blue will transition to using POS 10 in the future or not. -Nicole Kauk

Executive orders 21-12 and 21-15 have both been extended until September 30th, 2022, see text here: Executive Order 22-02

Text of Executive Order 21-12

Text of Executive Order 21-15

To request a provisional license under EO 21-12

A few people have wanted to register for the conference without using a paypal account to pay online.  Basically, you just need to go through the registration process and then select "INVOICE ME."   You will then be able to pay by check or money order and mail to the address for the association.

Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape or natural disaster. Immediately after the event, shock and denial are typical. Longer term reactions include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea.    But we know that it is more than this dictionary definition.  Attend our Spring Conference and enrich your skills and knowledge.