Powering Rural Health: Experts Weigh in on the Best Operating Model for RHTP Initiatives

On Demand Webinar | 60 minutes

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Rural communities face urgent challenges including, strained hospitals, provider shortages, access barriers, and persistent disparities in maternal and behavioral health. The new CMS Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) is a multi-year investment to stabilize and strengthen rural care, but states must act fast with comprehensive, competitive plans to secure funding.

This session, hosted by Gainwell Technologies and Health Management Associates (HMA), brings together experts who will show how to move from application to practice with a state-ready RHTP operating model.

What You’ll Learn

• Design strong state plans: Governance, APMs, and shared services that deliver sustainability beyond FY30.
• Data to action with AI: Building a longitudinal health record enriched with social and clinical data; turning predictive insights into real-world care improvements.
• Implementation roadmap: How to move from baseline assessment to pilot to scale—plus pitfalls to avoid.
• Measurable outcomes: Aligning metrics to the Quintuple Aim— maternal/infant health, avoidable ED use, chronic care control, workforce stability, equity, and operational efficiency.
• Guardrails for integrity: Using a 360° data view to detect fraud, waste, and abuse without adding provider burden.

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Panelists

Kathy Bristow
Senior Vice President, Population Health Management, Gainwell Technologies
Kathy Bristow is a senior healthcare executive with extensive experience in population health management, value-based care, and healthcare operations.

Andy Allison
Senior Medicaid Advisor, Gainwell Technologies
Andy Allison, PhD, is a seasoned health policy practitioner and Medicaid leader with extensive experience across state, federal, research, and consulting roles.

Jeff Booth
Principal, HMA
Jeff Booth is a Principal at Health Management Associates with over 35 years of experience leading organizational strategy, transformation, operations, and financial planning.

Moderator

Andrea Maresca
Managing Director, Information Services, HMA
Andrea Maresca, MPH, is a Managing Director at Health Management Associates with nearly 20 years of experience in federal and state health policy. She has led strategic initiatives across CMS, NAMD, and the National Governors Association, specializing in Medicaid, CHIP, and public health programs.

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Who should attend:

State health officials, Medicaid leaders, rural health program managers, policy and analytics teams.

Why now:

CMS RHTP funding application deadline is November 1st. Early design decisions will determine which states secure funding and how programs sustain beyond FY30.