As part of an ongoing effort to expand health care access and transparency, the New Jersey Department of Human Services and the New Jersey Department of Health have officially launched a dedicated website for the New Jersey Rural Health Transformation Program.
The new online portal serves as a central hub for community members, healthcare providers, and local partners to track the state’s progress through its multi-year, federally backed healthcare initiative.
The five-year program, spanning from 2025 to 2030, is supported by $147.25 million in Year One funding secured from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). It targets 11 designated rural counties impacting more than one million residents across the state.
The newly launched website allows visitors to:
- Identify which regions and populations qualify as rural under state and federal guidelines.
- Review strategic initiatives supporting workforce development, infrastructure, technology, and chronic disease prevention.
- Track real-time progress, read frequently asked questions, and connect directly with the program team.
“Every New Jerseyan deserves access to quality and affordable health care, no matter where they live,” Human Services Commissioner Dr. Stephen Cha, said. “This new website will help ensure that residents, providers, community organizations and other partners can follow our progress and stay connected.”
The website launch arrives on the heels of major implementation milestones. During its first year, the state distributed an initial round of $83 million in grant awards supporting 103 projects statewide. These targeted investments focus heavily on bolstering the rural healthcare workforce, modernizing health infrastructure and technology, and expanding preventative care and chronic disease management.
Health Commissioner Dr. Raynard E. Washington emphasized the administration’s focus on accountability:
“By tracking the program’s investments and progress in one place, this Administration is delivering on its commitment to transparency and accountability… As these projects get up and running, we’ll gain new insights into what works best to serve our rural communities.”
To keep stakeholders informed as the program transitions into its next phase, state officials are hosting a public webinar titled New Jersey Rural Health Transformation Program: Year Two Outlook. The session covers key priorities, lessons learned from first-year projects, and upcoming opportunities for continued community engagement.
Stakeholders and residents can explore the new portal by visiting the official New Jersey Rural Health Transformation website.
