Ed Buttrey, President and CEO
Montana Hospital Association

December 29, 2025

The Montana Hospital Association applauds the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ announcement awarding Montana $233,509,359 in Rural Health Transformation Program funding for federal fiscal year 2026. This award reflects the strength of the Gianforte Administration’s proposal on behalf of Montana’s rural communities and healthcare providers. Montana’s award is the fourth-highest in the nation, underscoring both the scale of rural health challenges in our state and the quality of Montana’s proposal.

Created by Congress through the passage of H.R. 1, the Rural Health Transformation Program represents a historic opportunity to make generational investments in Montana’s healthcare system. Over the next five years, the program could result in more than $1 billion for Montana, supporting efforts to stabilize rural hospitals, strengthen the healthcare workforce, improve care coordination, and expand access to essential services across our frontier communities.

MHA appreciated the opportunity to participate in the State’s recent Request for Information and was proud to submit a collaborative, multi-partner response alongside the Montana Primary Care Association, the Montana Medical Association, the Montana Health Network, the Montana Office of Rural Health and Area Health Education Center, Mountain-Pacific Quality Health Foundation, and numerous other statewide organizations and subject matter experts.

As the program moves from planning to implementation, MHA stands ready to serve as a strategic partner to the State through the Montana Health Research and Education Foundation (MHREF). MHREF was established more than 50 years ago to administer complex federal and state healthcare initiatives and is nationally recognized for its role in managing the Medical Assistance Facility Demonstration Project, a pilot program that ultimately led to the creation of the Critical Access Hospital designation nationwide. That work laid the foundation for many of today’s rural hospital financing and support programs.

Building on this legacy, MHREF brings deep experience in federal grant administration, a proven partnership with the State of Montana, and a unique understanding of hospitals of all sizes and types. We look forward to continuing to work with the Governor’s Office, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Montana Department of Labor and Industry, and our partners to ensure these funds are deployed effectively and deliver lasting improvements for patients and communities across Montana.