The Alabama Rural Health Transformation Advisory Group held its first meeting Wednesday following the state’s $203.4 million award from the Trump Administration for year-one funding of the Alabama Rural Health Transformation Program (ARHTP).
Governor Kay Ivey established the advisory group by executive order to advance policy development and implementation of the program.
“The Trump Administration has entrusted Alabama with significant funding to make generational reforms to an important but struggling portion of our health care system,” Ivey said. “We have an excellent group of legislators to help us be successful, and I am excited to see what they come up with.”
The advisory group includes House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger, State Sen. Greg Albritton, State Sen. Clyde Chambliss, State Sen. Donnie Chesteen, State Sen. Bobby Singleton, State Rep. Anthony Daniels, State Rep. Jamie Kiel, State Rep. Rex Reynolds, and State Rep. Pebblin Warren.
Members selected Chesteen and Kiel to serve as chair and vice chair. Kenneth Boswell, Director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) — the agency responsible for administering the program — provided an overview and members discussed processes, timelines, and potential legislative action.
Chesteen said the program represents a major opportunity for the state.
“The Alabama Rural Health Transformation Program represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen healthcare access in our rural communities,” Chesteen said. “By bringing together legislative leaders and healthcare stakeholders, we are positioning Alabama to make smart, sustainable reforms that will improve patient outcomes and ensure rural hospitals and providers can continue serving families across our state. I look forward to working with Governor Ivey and my colleagues to turn this historic investment into lasting results for the people of Alabama.”
The federal Rural Health Transformation Program was established by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which Congress approved and President Trump signed into law on July 4, 2025. The five-year, $50 billion program empowers states to improve healthcare access and outcomes in rural communities.
Alabama’s program includes 11 targeted initiatives to improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes in rural areas.
“Alabama’s Rural Health Transformation Program is about ensuring that every Alabamian, no matter where they live, has access to the quality care they deserve,” Kiel said. “We want to build a stronger, healthier future for our rural communities and I am proud to support an initiative that ensures Alabama remains a great place to live, work and raise a family.”
Sawyer Knowles is a capitol reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].
