wsmv.com · Tony Garcia · September 8, 2026
TN health department rolls out grants through new rural healthcare program
# TN health department rolls out grants through new rural healthcare program
##### The Rural Health Transformation Program awards grant money to innovative projects that strengthen healthcare access in remote parts of Tennessee.
By Tony Garcia
Published: Sep. 8, 2026 at 11:55 AM CDT| Updated: 45 minutes ago
What This Story Is About
- The Tennessee Department of Health announced the initial recipients of funding through its new Rural Health Transformation Program, providing awards to 53 innovative projects that strengthen healthcare access, improve health outcomes, and advance the long-term sustainability of rural healthcare systems across Tennessee.
Why It Matters
- The grants are going to projects devoted to increasing the percentage of rural populations living near health-promoting environments by improving nutrition, physical fitness, and community social supports and programs.
What Happens Next
- Scott County will begin three projects, Cocke County will launch two projects, and Clay, Hancock, and Lauderdale counties will each use the grant money for one project. This will ensure critical investments reach areas with some of the state’s greatest needs.
For Context
- The 53 awarded projects are devoted to initiatives in the Healthy Active Rural Tennessee (HART) and expand services across 44 Tennessee counties, demonstrating broad statewide reach.
Catch Up
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) revealed the first counties to receive funding through its new rural healthcare initiative.
On Thursday, September 3, the TDH announced grants through the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), which will go to 53 innovative projects that strengthen healthcare access for rural areas across Tennessee.
The 53 projects are devoted to expanding services across 44 Tennessee counties, demonstrating broad statewide reach.
“Strong rural communities are essential to Tennessee’s continued success, and access to quality healthcare is a cornerstone of that strength,” Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said. “Through the Rural Health Transformation Program, Tennessee is investing in innovative, community-driven solutions that will expand access to care, improve health outcomes, and help ensure families across rural Tennessee can receive the healthcare they need close to home. These grants demonstrate what is possible when state and local partners work together to build healthier, stronger communities.”
The full list of projects can be found here:
Among the Tennessee counties benefiting from these awards are Scott (three projects), Cocke (two projects), and Clay, Hancock, and Lauderdale counties (one project each). This will ensure critical investments reach areas identified as economically distressed.
“The Rural Health Transformation Program represents a smart investment in Tennessee’s future by supporting innovative projects that improve healthcare access while strengthening the long-term sustainability of rural healthcare,” Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives Cameron Sexton said. “By giving communities the resources to address their own challenges, we’re helping create practical, lasting solutions that improve the health and quality of life of Tennesseans across our rural counties.”
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) awarded Tennessee more than $206 million in late 2025 through the federal RHTP grant program, a nationwide, five-year commitment of $50 billion dedicated to improving access to care, quality, and health outcomes in rural communities nationwide.
For more information about RHTP or the new rural healthcare initiative program, visit here.
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