# Seven of 254, Alaska's Rural Health AI

> Alaska's seven rural health AI awards total less than one robotic surgery award in Ketchikan.

Published 2026-11-09 by Alaska AI. 9 slides.
Canonical: https://alaskaaihq.com/archive/2026-11-09/

## The story

254 rural health awards. Seven include AI.

At least $5.4 million of just under $249 million. About two cents a dollar.

Alaska's Year 2 award is $272,653,149. Below, every Year 1 award at one scale, largest first, one pocket each. Gold is AI.

Two read the body. Three write the chart.

The stroke network reads scans and Mat-Su Regional's headband reads brain waves. Maniilaq, Ptarmigan and Kodiak use AI to write clinical notes. MapHabit maps daily routines and the Independent Living Council sizes up assistive tech.

$3,156,626 to read stroke scans at 21 hospitals.

Two cloud platforms run on the hospitals' existing image systems, with no new imaging hardware. They also flag bleeds, lung clots, and aortic and spinal injury.

Each of the seven names what its AI should do.

What each says its AI should do.

Most of the AI money has no address.

About $4.5 million is filed "Statewide", including the stroke network, whose award names none of its 21 hospitals. The rest lands in four areas.

Year 2 money weighs progress, including ways to measure results.

The state plans a public dashboard of every award by year end. Put the seven AI aims on it.

Which of the seven should the dashboard check first?

## What we verified

- CMS announced $10 billion in second-year Rural Health Transformation Program awards to all 50 states on November 9th. [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-10-billion-second-year-rural-health-transformation-awards-all-50), primary document, 2026-11-09.
- Alaska's fiscal year 2027 Rural Health Transformation award is $272,653,149. [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-10-billion-second-year-rural-health-transformation-awards-all-50), primary document, 2026-11-09.
- Texas received the largest Year 2 award, $281,976,026. [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-10-billion-second-year-rural-health-transformation-awards-all-50), primary document, 2026-11-09.
- Alaska's Year 2 award is the second largest of the 50 states, behind only Texas. [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-10-billion-second-year-rural-health-transformation-awards-all-50), primary document, 2026-11-09.
- Montana's Year 2 award is $239,740,669, the third largest. [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-10-billion-second-year-rural-health-transformation-awards-all-50), primary document, 2026-11-09.
- California's Year 2 award is $231,105,823. [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-10-billion-second-year-rural-health-transformation-awards-all-50), primary document, 2026-11-09.
- Oklahoma's Year 2 award is $227,097,543. [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-10-billion-second-year-rural-health-transformation-awards-all-50), primary document, 2026-11-09.
- New Jersey received the smallest Year 2 award, $142,338,224. [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-10-billion-second-year-rural-health-transformation-awards-all-50), primary document, 2026-11-09.
- With the second-year awards, the federal government has now awarded $20 billion through the Rural Health Transformation Program. [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-10-billion-second-year-rural-health-transformation-awards-all-50), primary document, 2026-11-09.
- CMS says another $30 billion will be awarded over the program's remaining three years. [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-10-billion-second-year-rural-health-transformation-awards-all-50), primary document, 2026-11-09.
- All 50 states submitted annual progress reports, which CMS reviewed in determining each state's Year 2 award. [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-10-billion-second-year-rural-health-transformation-awards-all-50), primary document, 2026-11-09.
- CMS said Year 2 awards rested partly on state progress with rural health policies such as the Presidential Fitness Test and physician continuing education on nutrition. [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-10-billion-second-year-rural-health-transformation-awards-all-50), primary document, 2026-11-09.
- CMS said Year 2 awards also reflect, in part, each state's progress implementing its approved transformation plan. [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-10-billion-second-year-rural-health-transformation-awards-all-50), primary document, 2026-11-09.
- Each state receives $100 million a year in baseline Rural Health Transformation funding. [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/rural-health-transformation-program-year-2-awards), primary document, 2026-11-09.
- The other half of annual funding, called workload funding, weighs factors including the characteristics of a state's rural population and health facilities, its plan initiatives and certain state policy actions. [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/rural-health-transformation-program-year-2-awards), primary document, 2026-11-09.
- Because workload funding is recalculated each year, CMS says a state's total award may rise, fall or stay similar from year to year. [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/rural-health-transformation-program-year-2-awards), primary document, 2026-11-09.
- For Year 2, CMS weighed each state's initiative progress at checkpoints such as program governance, project plan approval, launching initiatives, reaching milestones, establishing methods for measuring results and planning for sustainability. [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/rural-health-transformation-program-year-2-awards), primary document, 2026-11-09.
- Tech innovation is one of the program's five strategic goals. [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/rural-health-transformation-program-year-2-awards), primary document, 2026-11-09.
- Technology-enabled care and health IT is one of the approved uses of program funds, and states must use funds for at least three approved uses. [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/rural-health-transformation-program-year-2-awards), primary document, 2026-11-09.
- CMS announced on October 22nd nearly $249 million in Rural Health Transformation funding for 254 Alaska projects. [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-nearly-249-million-bring-healthcare-closer-home-rural-alaskans), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- The Alaska Department of Health announced on October 22nd the completion of its Year 1 Rural Health Transformation funding cycle. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/osjhhdvl/alaska-department-of-health-announces-completion-of-rural-health-transformation-program-year-1-funding-cycle.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- The final Year 1 Notices of Intent to Award were issued on October 9th. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/osjhhdvl/alaska-department-of-health-announces-completion-of-rural-health-transformation-program-year-1-funding-cycle.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- The rest of Alaska's Year 1 award, beyond the project subawards, supports administration, evaluation and oversight of the program. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/osjhhdvl/alaska-department-of-health-announces-completion-of-rural-health-transformation-program-year-1-funding-cycle.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- According to the Alaska Department of Health, Alaska's Year 1 award was the highest per-capita award in the nation. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/osjhhdvl/alaska-department-of-health-announces-completion-of-rural-health-transformation-program-year-1-funding-cycle.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- The Alaska Department of Health says it has awarded just under $249 million in Year 1 funding. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/osjhhdvl/alaska-department-of-health-announces-completion-of-rural-health-transformation-program-year-1-funding-cycle.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- Alaska's Year 1 funding went to 254 projects. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/osjhhdvl/alaska-department-of-health-announces-completion-of-rural-health-transformation-program-year-1-funding-cycle.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- According to the state, CMS awarded Alaska more than $272 million for Year 1. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/osjhhdvl/alaska-department-of-health-announces-completion-of-rural-health-transformation-program-year-1-funding-cycle.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- Alaska's Year 1 award was the second highest overall award amount, according to the state. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/osjhhdvl/alaska-department-of-health-announces-completion-of-rural-health-transformation-program-year-1-funding-cycle.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- Alaska's Year 1 federal financial assistance award totaled $272,174,855.72, fully funded by CMS. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/osjhhdvl/alaska-department-of-health-announces-completion-of-rural-health-transformation-program-year-1-funding-cycle.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- The Rural Health Transformation Program is a $50 billion, five-year national initiative authorized by Congress in 2025. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/osjhhdvl/alaska-department-of-health-announces-completion-of-rural-health-transformation-program-year-1-funding-cycle.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- Alaska's six program initiatives are Healthy Beginnings, Healthy Communities, Health Care Access, Strengthen Workforce, Spark Technology and Pay for Value. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/osjhhdvl/alaska-department-of-health-announces-completion-of-rural-health-transformation-program-year-1-funding-cycle.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- Norton Sound Health Corporation's Year 1 project will use cellular-enabled remote monitoring and daily check-ins to track high-risk chronic patients in Nome and 15 village clinics. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/osjhhdvl/alaska-department-of-health-announces-completion-of-rural-health-transformation-program-year-1-funding-cycle.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- Tanana Chiefs Conference's Year 1 Healthy Beginnings project will link clinics, health aides, doulas and telehealth into one maternal-infant care network across 32 communities. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/osjhhdvl/alaska-department-of-health-announces-completion-of-rural-health-transformation-program-year-1-funding-cycle.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- Maniilaq Association's Year 1 award places portable X-ray units in Northwest Arctic village clinics. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/osjhhdvl/alaska-department-of-health-announces-completion-of-rural-health-transformation-program-year-1-funding-cycle.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- Health Commissioner Heidi Hedberg said "This funding gives us the tools to help turn that vision into reality.". [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/osjhhdvl/alaska-department-of-health-announces-completion-of-rural-health-transformation-program-year-1-funding-cycle.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- The department plans to publish a dashboard of the full investment portfolio by the end of the calendar year. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/osjhhdvl/alaska-department-of-health-announces-completion-of-rural-health-transformation-program-year-1-funding-cycle.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- Alaska's Year 2 fall funding cycle opened September 30th, with applications due October 28th. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/osjhhdvl/alaska-department-of-health-announces-completion-of-rural-health-transformation-program-year-1-funding-cycle.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- The state expects to notify Year 2 applicants as early as December, with Year 2 subawards beginning in early 2027. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/osjhhdvl/alaska-department-of-health-announces-completion-of-rural-health-transformation-program-year-1-funding-cycle.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- A second Year 2 funding cycle is expected to open in spring 2027. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/osjhhdvl/alaska-department-of-health-announces-completion-of-rural-health-transformation-program-year-1-funding-cycle.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-22.
- Alaska's Year 1 project awards were announced in eight weekly rounds, the first on August 7th covering $4.5 million and 19 projects. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/lyrcb3pc/alaska-rhtp-year-1-funding-cycle-update.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- The largest weekly round, announced the week of August 21st, covered $130 million across 104 projects. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/lyrcb3pc/alaska-rhtp-year-1-funding-cycle-update.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- The final Year 1 round, on October 9th, covered $4.8 million across 5 projects. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/lyrcb3pc/alaska-rhtp-year-1-funding-cycle-update.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- Alaska's Year 1 program is meant to reach each of Alaska's 30 boroughs and census areas. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/lyrcb3pc/alaska-rhtp-year-1-funding-cycle-update.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- The state cautions that its Year 1 amounts reflect projected awards as of October 9th and that minor adjustments may occur. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/lyrcb3pc/alaska-rhtp-year-1-funding-cycle-update.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- Health Care Access drew the largest share of Year 1 funding, $98.9 million or 40 percent. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/lyrcb3pc/alaska-rhtp-year-1-funding-cycle-update.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- Spark Technology and Innovation, the initiative for health technology, telehealth, electronic records and digital infrastructure, received $43.2 million or 17 percent of Year 1 funding. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/lyrcb3pc/alaska-rhtp-year-1-funding-cycle-update.pdf), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- The state's Notice of Intent to Award workbook lists 254 Year 1 awards totaling $248,976,547.51 in preliminary amounts. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/tcvker5a/ak_rhtp_awardsnotice_2026.xlsx), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- In August, CMS highlighted more than $3.1 million in Alaska funding for a statewide AI imaging network across 21 acute care hospitals. [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-160-million-bring-cutting-edge-technology-drones-prescription), primary document, 2026-08-25.
- The Alaska Stroke Coalition's $3,156,626 award funds a statewide AI imaging network across 21 acute care hospitals for stroke and other emergencies. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/tcvker5a/ak_rhtp_awardsnotice_2026.xlsx), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- The AI imaging platforms in the Alaska Stroke Coalition project run on hospitals' existing PACS systems without new imaging hardware. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/tcvker5a/ak_rhtp_awardsnotice_2026.xlsx), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- MapHabit Inc received $1,241,085.55 for AI-powered visual maps for people with developmental disabilities, brain injury and Alzheimer's-related dementias, starting in Mat-Su and the Kenai Peninsula. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/tcvker5a/ak_rhtp_awardsnotice_2026.xlsx), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- Maniilaq Association received $430,000 for behavioral health AI clinical documentation, citing documentation burden as a driver of therapist turnover. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/tcvker5a/ak_rhtp_awardsnotice_2026.xlsx), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- Mat-Su Regional Medical Center received $250,000 for AI-assisted EEG using a single-use headband a nurse can apply, potentially avoiding transfers to Anchorage. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/tcvker5a/ak_rhtp_awardsnotice_2026.xlsx), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- Ptarmigan Pediatrics received $190,556 for a patient portal and Nuance DAX ambient AI voice technology to automate clinical charting. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/tcvker5a/ak_rhtp_awardsnotice_2026.xlsx), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- The Statewide Independent Living Council received $141,702.70 for an AI assistive technology needs assessment tool. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/tcvker5a/ak_rhtp_awardsnotice_2026.xlsx), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- Kodiak Community Health Center received $25,492.50 for an AI-supported clinical documentation platform, the smallest AI-labeled award in the set reviewed. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/tcvker5a/ak_rhtp_awardsnotice_2026.xlsx), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- Bartlett Regional Hospital received $231,669 to convert its electronic health records, saying its clinics' separate systems can't access emerging AI tools. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/tcvker5a/ak_rhtp_awardsnotice_2026.xlsx), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center's preliminary award of $6,967,728.14 funds the first robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgeries in Southern Southeast Alaska. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/tcvker5a/ak_rhtp_awardsnotice_2026.xlsx), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- CMS cited $6.5 million in August for the first robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgeries in Southern Southeast Alaska. [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-160-million-bring-cutting-edge-technology-drones-prescription), primary document, 2026-08-25.
- CMS cited $4.75 million in August to expand Alaska's health information exchange. [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-160-million-bring-cutting-edge-technology-drones-prescription), primary document, 2026-08-25.
- CMS cited a quarter million dollars in August to develop the framework for a drone-based medication delivery system connecting villages across 94,000 square miles. [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-160-million-bring-cutting-edge-technology-drones-prescription), primary document, 2026-08-25.
- Tanana Chiefs Conference received a $250,000 planning award for drone medication delivery linking its Fairbanks hub to 42 Interior villages across 94,000 square miles, with UAF's ACUASI as partner. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/tcvker5a/ak_rhtp_awardsnotice_2026.xlsx), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- Ryan Air received $4,171,115 to bring autonomous cargo drones and electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft to the Bethel and Dillingham regions. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/tcvker5a/ak_rhtp_awardsnotice_2026.xlsx), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- The workbook lists 47 Spark Technology and Innovation awards totaling $43,281,282. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/tcvker5a/ak_rhtp_awardsnotice_2026.xlsx), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- Health Care Access accounts for 102 of the 254 Year 1 awards in the workbook. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/tcvker5a/ak_rhtp_awardsnotice_2026.xlsx), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- Of the 254 Year 1 awards, 26 are planning awards totaling $5,464,210 and 228 are implementation awards. [Alaska Department of Health](https://health.alaska.gov/media/tcvker5a/ak_rhtp_awardsnotice_2026.xlsx), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- The seven Year 1 awards whose titles or summaries say they buy or build an AI tool total $5,435,462.75, about $5.4 million, about 2.2 percent or roughly two cents of each dollar of the $248,976,547.51 the workbook lists. [Alaska Department of Health, Year 1 Notice of Intent to Award workbook](https://health.alaska.gov/media/tcvker5a/ak_rhtp_awardsnotice_2026.xlsx), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- The Alaska Stroke Coalition award's service area in the workbook is Statewide, and its summary names none of the 21 hospitals. [Alaska Department of Health, Year 1 Notice of Intent to Award workbook](https://health.alaska.gov/media/tcvker5a/ak_rhtp_awardsnotice_2026.xlsx), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- MapHabit's AI award and the Statewide Independent Living Council's AI award are both filed with a Statewide service area. [Alaska Department of Health, Year 1 Notice of Intent to Award workbook](https://health.alaska.gov/media/tcvker5a/ak_rhtp_awardsnotice_2026.xlsx), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- The three AI awards filed as Statewide total $4,539,414.25, about $4.5 million of the AI total. [Alaska Department of Health, Year 1 Notice of Intent to Award workbook](https://health.alaska.gov/media/tcvker5a/ak_rhtp_awardsnotice_2026.xlsx), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- The other four AI awards name their service areas, Matanuska-Susitna Borough for Mat-Su Regional and Ptarmigan Pediatrics, Kodiak Island Borough for Kodiak Community Health Center, and North Slope Borough and Northwest Arctic Borough for Maniilaq. [Alaska Department of Health, Year 1 Notice of Intent to Award workbook](https://health.alaska.gov/media/tcvker5a/ak_rhtp_awardsnotice_2026.xlsx), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- Every one of Alaska's 30 boroughs and census areas is named in at least one Year 1 award's service area in the workbook, and 68 awards are filed as Statewide. [Alaska Department of Health, Year 1 Notice of Intent to Award workbook](https://health.alaska.gov/media/tcvker5a/ak_rhtp_awardsnotice_2026.xlsx), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- Year 2 workload funding for Alaska works out to $172,653,149, Alaska's $272,653,149 award less the $100 million baseline every state gets. [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, with the baseline from the CMS Year 2 fact sheet](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-10-billion-second-year-rural-health-transformation-awards-all-50), primary document, 2026-11-09.
- The part of Alaska's Year 1 award not in the workbook's project subawards comes to $23,198,308.21, about $23.2 million, which the state says supports administration, evaluation and oversight. [Alaska Department of Health, Year 1 Notice of Intent to Award workbook](https://health.alaska.gov/media/tcvker5a/ak_rhtp_awardsnotice_2026.xlsx), primary document, 2026-10-09.
- KFF Health News reported on November 5th that CMS missed its October 31st deadline to tell states their Year 2 award amounts. [KFF Health News](https://kffhealthnews.org/rural-health/rural-health-transformation-program-funding-delays-states-cms/), report, 2026-11-05.

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