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Washington’s Rural Health Transformation Advisory Committee (RHT-AC) is now active. RHT-AC supports Washington’s Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program, a five-year, federally funded program focused on improving health care in rural communities.
Washington received approximately $181 million in first-year RHT funding. RHT-AC will help ensure these investments reflect the priorities and lived experiences of rural communities.
RHT-AC serves as a bridge between communities and state government by providing feedback and recommendations on program implementation. It is not a decision-making body.
The committee held its first meeting in June. RHT-AC will meet quarterly to review progress and provide ongoing guidance.
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The committee is a cross-sector body. It brings together members from across Washington’s rural health system. This ensures that investments and priorities are informed by the diverse perspectives of people delivering and receiving care in rural Washington.
Members were selected through an open and competitive application process this spring. Tribal delegates were reviewed and selected in consultation with the Governor’s Indian Health Advisory Council and the American Indian Health Commission. Advisory committee members will serve an initial two-year term, with the possibility to extend.
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Representing
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Name (County, Organization)
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Tribal delegates (two positions)
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Councilwoman Dayna Seymour (Okanogan, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation)
Sarah Sullivan (Skagit, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community)
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Rural hospitals
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Tyson Lacy (Lincoln, Lincoln Hospital District No. 3)
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Local health jurisdictions
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James Wallace (Okanogan County Public Health District & Chelan Douglas Health District)
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Federally Qualified Health Centers
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Carl Olden (Yakima, Community Health of Central Washington)
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Behavioral health providers
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Julia Mackaronis (Grays Harbor, Roger Saux Health Center)
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Allied health professionals
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Devon Woodley (Ferry, Ferry County Public Hospital District)
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Medical professionals
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Bindu Nayak (Douglas, Washington State Medical Association)
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Labor organizations
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Centra Pickens (Pierce, SEIU 1199 NW Healthcare Multi-Employer Training Fund)
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Area Agencies on Aging
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Laura Cepoi (Jefferson, Olympic Area Agency on Aging
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Community – Eastern WA (two positions)
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Deb Miller (Douglas, Community Choice dba Action Health Partners)
Jessica Whitehawk (Yakima, Ttáwaxt Birth Justice Center)
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Community – Western WA (one position)
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Adria Williams (Clallam, Forks Community Hospital)
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State agencies partnering on the RHT Program also have representatives participating in the advisory committee. They can provide information about work within their agencies and context from broader dialogues with state leaders. Partnering agencies include the Washington State Health Care Authority, Department of Health, and Department of Social and Health Services. The Governor’s Office and Office of Financial Management will also participate.
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We’ve been updating you on the RHT Program because of your interest in other HCA work. If you haven’t signed up yet, subscribe to receive future updates on Washington’s RHT Program.
In this first year, CMS awarded Washington state about $181 million. These funds will support the hospitals, clinics, and providers that rural communities rely on every day.
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