Description

Heart with farm land inside over top of a windmill. Join us for a webinar exploring the Rural Health Transformation Fund and the HR1 bill, designed for physicians and public health advocates. As part of H.R. 1—the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”—Section 71401 establishes a Rural Health Transformation Program, allocating $50 billion to support rural healthcare providers. This funding will be distributed over five years, with $10 billion available annually from FY 2026 through FY 2030.

Each state must apply for a Rural Health Transformation Plan to access its share of the funds. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will review these applications based on a pre-determined allocation methodology, issuing final decisions by December 31, 2025. Participants will gain a clear understanding of the Fund’s goals, the key provisions and logistics of HR1, and the potential implications for physicians, hospitals, and community advocates. 

Learning Objectives

1. Explain the Rural Health Transformation Fund and its goals. 
2. Review the HR1 and key provisions, as well as the logistics. 
3. Assess implications for physicians, hospitals, and community advocates.

Speakers  

Emily Carroll, JD
Senior Attorney, American Medical Association

As a Senior Legislative Attorney for the American Medical Association’s Advocacy Resource Center, Ms. Carroll provides legislative and legal support to state and national medical specialty societies on private payer practices and health insurance reforms.  Before joining the AMA, Ms. Carroll worked as the Legislative Director at the law firm Powers, Pyles, Sutter and Verville, P.C. in Washington, D.C., representing health care, disability, and employment provider organizations.  She received her law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law, a Master of Social Work degree, and a Certificate in Health Care Administration and Policy from the University of Chicago, as well as her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan.

Annalia Michelman, JD, MPP
Senior Attorney, American Medical Association

Ms. Michelman is a Senior Legislative Attorney in the American Medical Association (AMA) Advocacy Resource Center. At the Advocacy Resource Center, she collaborates with state and specialty medical associations on state legislative and regulatory issues, with a focus on Medicaid, public health and safety, healthcare disparities, and state budget matters. Before joining the AMA, Ms. Michelman was a Health Policy Specialist with the National Alliance to Advance Adolescent Health in Washington, DC, where she focused on Medicaid and behavioral health programs. Previously, Annalia worked on state legislative, congressional, and gubernatorial campaigns in Virginia as a political fundraiser. Annalia earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from James Madison University and a master’s degree in public policy and law from Georgetown University.