Walsh, CO – October 8, 2026 – Walsh Hospital District has been awarded $488,363.50 through Colorado’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) to strengthen healthcare services, expand workforce capacity, improve emergency preparedness, and increase access to care for residents of Walsh and surrounding rural and frontier communities.

Walsh Hospital District would like to thank the residents, families, businesses, and community members who continue to support our healthcare services and believe in the importance of having quality healthcare close to home.  We are especially grateful to those who took the time to write letters of support for our RHTP grant application. Your voices and encouragement demonstrate the strong community commitment to the future of healthcare in our area and helped make this investment possible.

We also extend our appreciation to the State of Colorado for investing in Walsh Hospital District and recognizing the importance of supporting healthcare in rural communities. This investment will help strengthen our facilities and services to ensure that quality healthcare remains available close to home for the people in our community.

The funding is part of nearly $170 million in RHTP grants directed by the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) to rural healthcare providers across Colorado. Funded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), these investments will help protect access to care and support better health outcomes in Colorado’s rural and frontier communities.

The funding will support several important investments, including restoring and equipping the District's third ambulance as a fully operational Advanced Life Support (ALS) reserve unit. This includes new ALS and communications equipment, wildland deployment protective equipment, and preparation for statewide disaster deployments. These improvements will support the District's ability to respond to regional emergencies, especially wildfires.

Another major component will be a stronger partnership between Walsh Ambulance Service and the Walsh Medical Clinic. EMS personnel will be able to support the clinic during clinic hours, while clinic staff will be cross-trained to provide support to EMS when needed. This two-way model will strengthen both services by maintaining consistent weekday EMS coverage with full-time pay, and providing the clinic with additional staffing support. Ultimately, this approach will create a more flexible, integrated healthcare workforce that allows the District’s EMS and clinic services to support one another while improving access and continuity of care for the community.

The project will also introduce telehealth services to our community through the purchase of telehealth equipment and the hiring of a dedicated Telehealth Nurse Practitioner who can see both on-sight and telehealth patients. This creates additional revenue opportunities for the district by allowing us to provide care to virtual patients. Telehealth services can also provide greater access to care for our local residents, including specialty consultations, chronic disease management, preventive care, and follow-up services while reducing barriers caused by transportation challenges and long travel distances.

Lastly, RHTP funding will provide educational assistance and professional development opportunities for our workforce, including tuition assistance and job-related training. These educational opportunities will be available to Walsh Hospital District employees as well as members of the community, helping to expand access to education and support the development of a skilled local healthcare workforce. Anyone interested in learning more about available scholarships, tuition assistance, or other educational opportunities is encouraged to contact Walsh Hospital District.

“We are extremely grateful for this investment in Walsh and the surrounding communities, and also appreciative of the continued support we receive from our community. This funding represents an important opportunity to strengthen our organization and help ensure that quality care remains available close to home. We are excited about what this investment means for the future of Walsh Hospital District and the communities we serve.”

Walsh Hospital District

About Walsh Hospital District

Walsh Hospital District serves Walsh and surrounding rural and frontier communities in southeastern Colorado. The District provides healthcare services through Walsh Healthcare Center, Maplewood Homes Assisted Living, Walsh Medical Clinic, and Walsh Ambulance Service.

About the Rural Health Transformation Program

The Rural Health Transformation Program is a five-year federal initiative designed to strengthen healthcare access and improve health outcomes in rural and frontier communities. The program supports investments in workforce development, innovative care models, technology-enabled services, and health system sustainability. The program was authorized under Section 71401 of H.R. 1 (Public Law 119-21) to provide grants totaling $50 billion in federal funding nationwide from Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2026 through FFY 2030.

From the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Colorado’s award totals $200,105,604.17 for the first year of the program to support rural health transformation efforts across the state, and is 100% funded by CMS. The contents of this release are those of Walsh Hospital District and the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CMS/HHS or the U.S. Government.

Media Contact

Jennifer Wasoi
Chief Operating Officer
Walsh Hospital District
719-324-5262