MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WDNews) — Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday announced Alabama’s next steps in preparing to implement the new federal Rural Health Transformation Program, part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed by Congress in July with support from President Donald Trump.
The program aims to strengthen rural communities nationwide by improving healthcare access, quality, and outcomes through systemic reforms in healthcare delivery.
“Thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill, Alabama and states across the country have an opportunity to make meaningful improvements in our rural healthcare systems,” Ivey said in a statement. “Alabama is a very rural state, and my goal is to ensure rural Alabamians have long-term and sustainable access to quality healthcare services. Thank you to President Trump and Congress for the vision to Make Rural America Healthy Again. I look forward to Alabama submitting a strong plan.”
After Trump signed the legislation on Independence Day, the Governor’s Office began collecting input from healthcare providers, stakeholders and interest groups on how Alabama could best administer the program to improve health outcomes and delivery systems in rural areas. Ivey also assembled a state team — including the State Health Planning and Development Agency (SHPDA), the Department of Finance and the Alabama Medicaid Agency — to develop Alabama’s application for the federal funding opportunity.
Following the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issuing official guidance this week, Ivey appointed a working advisory group to support the state team.
The advisory group includes:
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Joseph Marchant, CEO, Bibb Medical Center
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Lother “Jim” Peace, President and CEO, Russell Medical Center
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Charles “Max” Rogers IV, Obstetrics, North Baldwin Infirmary
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Susan Alverson, Director of Regulatory Affairs, Alabama Board of Pharmacy
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Scott Harris, State Health Officer
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Greg Nichols, Administrator, EAMC-Lanier Rural Emergency Hospital
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John Waits, CEO, Cahaba Medical Care
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Jeff Samz, CEO, Huntsville Hospital Health System
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Dawn Bulgarella, CEO, UAB Health System
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Natalie Fox, Interim CEO, USA Health
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Tuerk Schlesinger, CEO, AltaPointe Health
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Teresa Grimes, CEO, Washington County Hospital & Nursing Home
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Peggy Benson, Executive Officer, Alabama Board of Nursing
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Clarence Ball, President and CEO, Ball Healthcare
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Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger
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State Sen. Greg Albritton
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State Sen. Bobby Singleton
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House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter
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State Rep. Rex Reynolds
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State Rep. Anthony Daniels
“We look forward to working with the Governor’s Office, state partners and the advisory workgroup to make some transformational changes in the provision of services and care for the citizens in rural areas of our state,” said SHPDA Executive Director Emily Marsal. “Governor Ivey’s leadership in this process has already been vital and I appreciate her providing a way for our health care partners to come to the table with valuable knowledge and information.”
The group will meet regularly and provide input as Alabama prepares its application. All states must submit proposals for the Rural Health Transformation Program by Nov. 5, 2025.
