Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) announced the creation of the Alliance for Advancing Rural Healthcare (AARH) to help state governments implement the federal Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program, a $50 billion initiative designed to modernize rural health systems.
The alliance brings together SAIC, Arcadia, Castlight Health, Covista, Mission Mobile Medical, Telemedicine.com, TruBridge, and Walgreens. Walgreens contributes its extensive rural pharmacy network; Arcadia offers analytics and workflow tools; Castlight provides digital health navigation; TruBridge supplies revenue‑cycle management and EHR solutions; Telemedicine.com delivers telehealth platforms; and the other partners add complementary expertise in mobile medical services and health‑IT integration.
The RHT Program, authorized by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Section 71401 of Public Law 119‑21), allocates $10 billion per fiscal year from FY2026 through FY2030. Half of each year’s funding is distributed equally among approved states, while the remaining half is awarded based on state metrics and applications. States must submit applications by November 5, 2025.
SAIC’s Civilian Business Group, led by Srini Attili, will serve as the program’s key integrator, leveraging its experience with CMS, VA, and HHS to coordinate technology, execution, and workforce development. Attili said, "The RHT Program is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for states to fundamentally strengthen rural healthcare. But funding alone does not deliver tangible results. We brought together the visionary AARH partners to help states move from strategy to execution, ensuring that RHT Program goals translate into measurable, sustainable improvements for rural communities."
Suresh Soundararajan, former Virginia Department of Health CIO and current SAIC RHT Program Lead, added, "State governments face unique challenges in transforming rural healthcare and need partners who understand public sector accountability, the complexities of healthcare operations, and the need for scalable, results‑driven solutions. AARH helps states overcome these hurdles, delivering sustainable, people‑centered solutions that address the critical needs of rural communities."
The alliance positions SAIC to capture a significant share of the $50 billion program, aligning with its strategy to expand higher‑margin mission and enterprise IT services. By integrating the partners’ technologies and expertise, the AARH aims to accelerate the rollout of modern health‑IT systems, strengthen clinical workforce capacity, and translate federal funding into tangible improvements across rural health systems.
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