California State Office of Rural Health

The California State Office of Rural Health (CalSORH) serves to link rural communities with state and federal resources and collaborates with statewide rural health associations and other public and private agencies to promote rural health services. CalSORH also provides structure for the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility/Critical Access Hospital (FLEX/CAH) Program, Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP), and J-1 Visa Waiver Programs. 

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Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP)#

The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) is a strategic initiative designed to strengthen health care in rural communities, where access, workforce shortages, and infrastructure gaps create unique challenges.

Established through H.R.1 and signed into law in July 2025, the program created the Rural Health Transformation Fund — a $50 billion investment over five years, available to all 50 states that apply. This funding is not intended to supplement Medicare or Medicaid, but rather to give states the resources to reimagine how rural health care is delivered and financed.

In California, the Department of Healthcare Access and Information’s State Office of Rural Health (CalSORH) is leading the effort. Guided by input from rural health leaders and feedback gathered through broad stakeholder engagement, CalSORH will use this plan to inform long-term investments, partnerships, and policy initiatives aimed at creating sustainable, resilient rural health systems.

We want your input!
Your voice is critical in shaping the future of rural health care. Sign up for our Rural Health email listserv to stay informed about upcoming webinars, surveys, and engagement opportunities to share your ideas.

• When subscribing, select “Rural Health” under the Healthcare Workforce category to ensure you receive updates.
• View the RHTP Kickoff Webinar Presentation Material – September 4, 2025
• View the RHTP Kickoff Webinar Recording – September 4, 2025

Programs#

National Rural Health Day#

National Rural Health Day is recognized on the third Thursday in November. On November 19, 2024, the HCAI California State Office of Rural Health partnered with HCAI’s Equity Office to host a Can We Chat Session on National Rural Health Day. This presentation discussed the disparities in rural healthcare along with sharing success stories provided by our hospitals. The recording and PowerPoint presentation is available below.  If you missed the celebration, please plan to celebrate National Rural Health Day with us this year on November 20, 2025.

Resources & Information#

Please note: the resources provided on this page lead to external, non-HCAI websites.

• CMS Rural Health Transformation Webpage
• Rural Health Information Hub (RHIhub)
• Rural Recruitment and Retention Network (3R Net)
• California State Rural Health Association
• California Association of Rural Health Clinics
• National Association of Rural Health Clinics
• National Association of Community Health Clinics
• Center for Connected Health Policy
• Rural Health Research Gateway

Program Contacts#

You may directly contact the California State Office of Rural Health (CalSORH) for assistance.

Email: CalSORH@hcai.ca.gov

Subscribe#

Join the Workforce Programs Update mailing list to receive program announcements.