January 20, 2026
Helping Kansas Transform Rural Health
Submitted by Gregg Hadley, Erin Martinez, and Tim Steffensmeier
Great news!
We’re thrilled to announce that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has launched a groundbreaking $50 billion initiative: the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program. This bold new program is set to strengthen rural healthcare across the United States. Governors from every state have enthusiastically submitted proposals to CMS, each vying for a share of this unprecedented funding to address their unique rural healthcare needs.
Kansas’s proposal shines thanks to an incredibly collaborative process. The governor’s office, state agencies, rural and health-focused stakeholder groups, and higher education institutions all came together with a shared vision. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is leading this inspiring initiative.
Kansas State University is an important strategic partner in this proposal. A huge round of applause to our outstanding Extension colleagues—Rial Carver, Lisa Ross, Dr. Elaine Johannes, and Dr. Erin Martinez—for their incredible work in shaping our contribution to the RHT Program. Our role in the proposal is to develop, expand, and supercharge a robust community health worker program and the innovative food systems needed to launch an Accountable Food Is Medicine program in Kansas.
Through the RHT Program, Accountable Food Is Medicine positions Kansas State University as a central execution and translation partner, with K-State Extension deploying Community Health Workers and food system expertise statewide by building on the combined experience of KDHE and Sunflower Foundation to deliver a highly accountable, nationally visible model.
Kansas State University is projected to receive a remarkable $24 million over five years to fuel these bold and transformative initiatives! In the first year, a significant portion of this award will be used to bring on board 30 new Extension professionals—including 20 community health workers, 6 dieticians, and 4 food system agriculture specialists—who will make a tangible difference in communities across Kansas. Even more positions will be added in the years ahead, with new Extension professionals making an impact statewide.
And we won’t be going it alone, as K-State Extension will harness the power of the university’s new Institute for Community Health and Well-Being, connecting us with partners across the institution, external organizations, and a wealth of additional resources to amplify and expand this transformative effort.
In the February 3 issue of the Tuesday Letter, Dr. Elaine Johannes will offer an in-depth look at the community health worker component of this initiative, followed by an article from Rial Carver spotlighting our food systems and nutrition work within the Kansas RHT Program. We can’t wait to share more updates in upcoming Tuesday Letters and Extension Updates as we build momentum and bring this exciting new program to life.