November 2025

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Alabama Ledger www.AlabamaLedger.com

PAGE 3A November 2025

Governor Ivey Announces Alabama's Rural Health Transformation Program Governor Kay Ivey has announced that Alabama’s plan for the federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) has been submitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The One Big Beautiful Bill Act – which President Trump supported and Congress passed in July – includes the RHTP, a multi-year, $50 billion program that empowers states to strengthen rural communities across America by improving healthcare access, quality and outcomes by transforming the healthcare delivery system. “As someone from Wilcox County, making meaningful improvements in how we deliver health care in rural Alabama is critically important to me. Thanks to President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, states have an opportunity to make transformational change that will benefit citizens and communities for generations,” said Governor Ivey. “Making America Healthy Again begins in rural America, and I look forward to the state and federal governments working together to improve health care across the state.” The Alabama Rural Health Transformation Program (ARHTP) includes 11 initiatives: • Collaborative Electronic Health Record (EHR), IT and Cybersecurity Initiative • Rural Health Initiative • Maternal and Fetal Health Initiative • Rural Workforce Initiative • Cancer Digital Regionalization Initiative • Simulation Training Initiative • Statewide EMS Trauma and Stroke Initiative • EMS Treat-In-Place Initiative • Mental Health Initiative • Community Medicine Initiative • Rural Health Practice Initiative The 11 initiatives are complementary approaches to help rural healthcare facilities become more financially viable, increase access to critical healthcare services and improve quality of care and patient health outcomes. Some of the initiatives’ prominent goals are to foster shared-services and enhanced communications and collaboration between healthcare facilities, dramatically scale up Alabama’s rural healthcare workforce, expand healthcare access through adoption of telehealth and other modern technologies and create needed efficiencies in Alabama’s healthcare delivery system. The ARHTP was developed by a core team, including the Governor’s Office, the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), the Alabama Department of Finance, the Alabama Medicaid Agency and the Alabama State Health Planning and Development Agency. Governor Ivey also sought input from dozens of stakeholders around the state and established a 20-person workgroup of healthcare experts and lawmakers to help inform the process and develop the plan. “My team left no stone unturned as it gathered information to submit our plan,” Governor Ivey continued. “It is a thoughtful, strategic plan that must be coupled with state policy changes to maximize effectiveness. Once implemented, the initiatives and policy changes will make meaningful improvements to healthcare in rural Alabama. They will help fulfill President Trump’s goal to Make America Healthy Again, and I have no doubt they will help Alabamians become healthier.” DECA, which has managed state and federal funding programs for decades, will administer the ARHTP once funding is awarded. Consistent with other programs, ADECA will develop rules and publish additional information that will help healthcare providers and other eligible recipients apply and compete to help fulfil programs established by each of the 11 ARHTP initiatives.

Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, Alabama Ledger REV Physical Therapy & Sports Performance held a Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting on Thursday, November 4, 2025. The business is located at 1504 Clarence E. Chesnut Jr. Bypass in Centre, Alabama. For more information call 256-927-2456. Gadsden Regional Medical Center Named 2025 Employer of the Year

Gadsden Regional Medical Center (GRMC) has been named the 2025 Employer of the Year by the Alabama Rehabilitation Association (ARA) in recognition of the hospital’s long-standing partnership with the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS) and its dedication to creating inclusive employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. For almost a decade, GRMC has partnered with ADRS to host the Etowah County Project SEARCH program, providing a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment where interns can explore a wide range of entry- level hospital roles. The hospital’s commitment to inclusion has made a lasting difference in the lives of many participants— offering them not only training but employment opportunities. In their nomination, Project SEARCH staf f highlighted that GRMC “has been committed to giving every intern an equal opportunity to explore all entry-level occupations and departments,” noting the hospital’s impact on the confidence, independence, and growth of its interns.

Project staf f praised GRMC not only for the number of hires made of program graduates SEARCH but for how the hospital treats and supports each individual. From day one, interns are welcomed, respected, and held to the same standards as all employees—fostering a culture of equality, accountability, and belonging. “We are proud to partner with Project SEARCH and ADRS to open doors for individuals with disabilities and help them find purpose and belonging in the workforce. This award reflects the compassion, teamwork, and dedication of our staff who make inclusion part of our everyday culture.” said Michael Hall, CEO of Gadsden Regional Medical Center. The nomination emphasized that GRMC’s approach has not only changed lives but strengthened families and the community as a whole. For many interns, their position at GRMC represents their first job—and with it, the opportunity to build independence, financial stability, and confidence for the future.

Submitted Photo Gadsden Regional Medical Center Chief Operating Officer, Brandon Nelson, is shown receiving the award.

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