The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Public Visibility Tracker is an independent research and data product examining what the public can see about how states are implementing the Rural Health Transformation Program.

The tracker asks a straightforward question:

What can the public see about how states are implementing RHTP?

The 2026 baseline examines Arkansas, Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee using publicly available information. We look for evidence that residents and communities can find clear information about RHTP funding, state administration, implementation activity, intended beneficiaries and communities, and opportunities to learn more or participate.

Why Public Visibility Matters

A program can be funded and actively administered while remaining difficult for the people it is intended to serve to understand or navigate.

For rural communities, public visibility matters because information about funding, programs, eligibility, implementation, and opportunities to participate can determine whether residents and community organizations know what is happening, understand how it may affect them, and know where to turn for more information.

The tracker focuses specifically on that public-facing layer. Public visibility is not the same thing as program performance. This project does not determine whether a state is successfully transforming rural health or measure program outcomes.

What We Track

The 2026 baseline examines whether the public can find:

• A plain-language explanation of RHTP

• The state's FY2026 award amount

• Information about who administers the program

• Current implementation activity or status

• The communities and beneficiaries the program is intended to reach

• A clear way to learn more, provide feedback, or participate

The tracker also distinguishes between federal awards, state distribution, subawards, obligations, and expenditures where public evidence allows.

How the Tracker Works

The project uses publicly available sources and documents to establish an evidence trail for each finding.

We distinguish between strong or verified evidence, partial evidence, information that is not yet due or reportable, and instances where no public evidence was located.

Importantly, “No Public Evidence Located” does not mean an activity did not occur. It means the research team could not verify that information through the public sources reviewed.

The 2026 tracker is a baseline, designed to establish what is publicly visible at this stage of RHTP implementation and provide a foundation for tracking change over time.

A 2026 Baseline

This initial tracker covers five states:

Arkansas · Illinois · Mississippi · Missouri · Tennessee

The five-state pilot is not nationally representative. It is the first phase of a broader research and data-product concept focused on public visibility, evidence, and rural health transformation.

Future phases can examine changes in implementation visibility, reach, early outcomes, equity, community impact, and sustainability over time.

Explore the Tracker

Explore the RHTP Public Visibility Tracker →

The RHTP Public Visibility Tracker is an independent research and data product by The Center on Rural Parenting Founder and Executive Director, Aaliyah Bailey.

It is not an official federal or state assessment of RHTP performance.