EMS Regionalization Grant Program

The Wyoming Department of Health is administering funding through the Rural Health Transformation Program, a state-level initiative supported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This program was authorized under federal legislation known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and is designed to strengthen rural healthcare systems through targeted, innovative investments. The EMS Regionalization funding opportunity is one of several sub-initiatives under this broader program and focuses specifically on improving emergency medical service delivery across rural regions in Wyoming. The funding is part of a large federal award to the state, totaling over two hundred million dollars in its first budget period, with full federal support. The purpose of the EMS Regionalization request for applications is to incentivize structural changes among ground emergency medical service providers. Specifically, the program seeks to encourage agencies to consolidate or regionalize their operations in order to achieve long-term financial sustainability and operational efficiency. The funding is explicitly described as time-limited, meaning it is intended to support transition and transformation activities rather than ongoing operational costs. Applicants are expected to use these funds to implement sustainable business practices that will allow them to maintain services beyond the funding period, particularly through improved revenue structures and coordination. Eligible applicants are restricted to collaborative or already consolidated entities. This includes groups of two or more ground EMS agencies that are applying jointly with the intention of regionalizing their services. It also includes entities that have already undergone consolidation, particularly those structured around a Critical Access Hospital or a fire department. This eligibility requirement reflects the program’s emphasis on collaboration and system-level integration rather than support for individual standalone agencies. The program does not indicate eligibility for individuals, single agencies acting independently, or non-EMS entities. Applications for this opportunity are submitted through an online portal, where applicants must complete a required eligibility form prior to submitting any initiative-specific application. The system allows for collaborative drafting, but only the original owner of the application can submit the final proposal. Applicants are encouraged to complete all required fields and review conditional questions that may appear based on their responses. While detailed application components such as narrative questions or scoring criteria are not explicitly provided in the available information, the structure suggests a standardized submission process aligned with other state-administered funding programs. The application deadline for the EMS Regionalization initiative is August 3, 2026. Submissions must be completed before the stated cutoff time, and late applications are not accepted. The funding agreements are expected to be issued for an initial one-year period, with the possibility of renewal or amendment in subsequent years. All awarded funds must be fully obligated by October 30, 2026, and fully expended by September 30, 2027, unless otherwise permitted by the federal funder and the Wyoming Department of Health. This establishes a clear performance period and spending timeline for all funded activities. While specific evaluation criteria and contact information are not detailed in the provided material, the program emphasizes alignment with broader state healthcare transformation goals. These include improving access to emergency care, strengthening workforce capacity, advancing health technology, and promoting overall population health. Applicants are therefore expected to design proposals that contribute to these overarching objectives while demonstrating feasibility, sustainability, and measurable impact. The initiative does not explicitly state whether it is recurring, suggesting that it may be tied to the current funding cycle of the federal award.