Indigenous Pact launches free RHTP Hub for Tribal Nations

Indigenous Pact has rolled out a free online hub to help Tribal Nations track how states are distributing Rural Health Transformation Program funding. The launch comes as CMS awards $10 billion in Year 2 funding to all 50 states and tribes prepare to influence state rules that will shape access.

Why it matters: - Tribal Nations cannot apply directly to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for Rural Health Transformation Program money. - States decide how Tribal communities access the funding, so state rules and consultation processes will shape whether and how Tribes benefit. - Indigenous Pact says the new Hub is meant to give Tribal leaders a clearer view of those decisions and a way to advocate for approaches that reflect Tribal priorities.

What happened: - Indigenous Pact launched its Rural Health Transformation Program Hub as a free online resource for Tribal Nations and Tribal health organizations. - The Hub tracks how states include Tribes in RHTP plans and follows funding opportunities as states announce them. - The launch comes as Year 2 of the program began Oct. 31 and CMS announced $10 billion in Year 2 awards to all 50 states on Nov. 9.

The details: - RHTP provides states $50 billion over five years, or about $10 billion annually from fiscal 2026 through 2030. - Tribes cannot apply directly to CMS for RHTP funds. - Funding reaches Tribes through their states, and each state is setting its own approach. - Washington sets aside 10% of its RHTP funds for Tribes. - Arizona uses government-to-government agreements and competitive grants without a set-aside. - Indigenous Pact’s Government Affairs team expects most states to write their Year 2 rules within 60 to 90 days after the Nov. 9 CMS award announcement. - Tribes can ask their states how to weigh in before those rules are final. - The Hub launches with seven states. - Full guides for California, Idaho and Wisconsin are live. - Guides for Washington, Oregon, Arizona and Nevada are in development. - Each guide explains how Tribes in that state can reach RHTP funding and when. - Indigenous Pact’s Government Affairs team will update the guides as states release funding opportunities and consultation schedules. - The Hub also includes a free RHTP Year 2 Playbook for Tribal leaders to download and share with their council or board. - Tribal leaders can explore the Hub, sign up for state alerts and a monthly RHTP briefing, and download the Playbook at indigenouspact.com/rhtp. - Tribes can request a free RHTP status check at indigenouspact.com/request-a-call-rhtp. - Indigenous Pact also asked readers to visit its LinkedIn page at social media.

Between the lines: - The timing suggests a shift from federal funding announcements to state-level implementation. - Indigenous Pact is positioning the Hub as an ongoing tracking tool, not a one-time report. - The company’s approach mixes policy monitoring with practical support, including readiness assessments, project scoping and budgeting through its Tribal Health Advisory team.

What's next: - Indigenous Pact plans to keep the Hub current for as long as RHTP runs. - The company expects more states to release rules, consultation schedules and funding opportunities over the coming months. - The Hub will expand to more states and share examples of what is working for Tribes as the program unfolds. - Tribal leaders can use the free status check and advisory support to prepare for future funding windows.

The bottom line: - The new Hub gives Tribal Nations a centralized way to track a state-by-state funding program that will determine how much of RHTP reaches Indian Country.