HCAI leaders described the California Rural Health Transformation (CalRHT) program’s transformative care model — combining workforce initiatives and technology — as the basis for year‑one EHR modernization grants focused on building foundational EHR capacity in rural providers.

HCAI said EHR modernization is the year‑one technology focus and that future budget periods could fund cybersecurity, telehealth, workforce and other technology grants; applicants were urged to subscribe to HCAI communications for updates on year‑2 funding.

Tribal leaders and IHS officials told the House Natural Resources Subcommittee that modernizing implementation of PL 93-638 requires predictable timelines, stronger area-office capacity, EHR modernization and stable funding; witnesses warned that rushed consultation or centralizing negotiations could slow services.

Officials answered attendee questions on rural eligibility (FO RHP definition), EHR interoperability funding, central role for community health workers, behavioral-health coordination with other state funding, and the challenge of limited per-capita funding for California.