In partnership with the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), Governor Brian Kemp (R-GA) announced that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has awarded the State of Georgia $218.8 million for the Georgia Rural Enhancement and Transformation (GREAT) of Health Program.
This comprehensive effort will strengthen rural healthcare systems and improve outcomes statewide while introducing innovation and greater flexibility into the health system. As part of the federal government’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), the GREAT Health initiative was made possible following the passage of the One Big, Beautiful Bill.
The RHTP allowed states to apply for funding to advance innovative, value-based healthcare models tailored to rural communities. Georgia’s initial allotment is one of the largest to be awarded among the 50 states, and its successful application positions the state to make historic investments in rural health infrastructure, workforce, and care delivery.
Gov. Brian Kemp expressed his gratitude for the Trump Administration and for this substantial investment in Georgia’s rural capability. The Governor also thanked the Department of Community Health for putting together such a strong application, earning the state a plethora of innovation and cost-saving initiatives.
“This funding will help move us forward in strengthening our rural providers while bringing cost-saving innovations to the state’s health system,” Kemp stated. “I also want to thank the hardworking team at the Department of Community Health that put together such a strong proposal, resulting in one of the largest allotments in this first year of the program.”
The Commissioner of the DCH, Dr. Dean Burke, described this announcement as the next step in transforming Georgia’s rural communities for the better, and revealed that public opinion was accounted for when applying for this funding.
“When Georgia was presented with this funding opportunity, we sought public input to shape the grant process – because different rural communities have different needs,” Burke stated. “This funding will allow us to advance transformation by supporting rural residents to live longer, healthier lives with access to more effective and higher-quality health care.”
I’m thankful for the Trump administration’s dedication to improving healthcare in America and for this substantial investment in Georgia through the Rural Health Transformation Program. This funding will help move us forward in strengthening our rural providers while bringing…
— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) December 29, 2025
