Épisodes

  • Oklahoma RISE 25 in 25 RHTP Weekly Intelligence Brief for February 21–28, 2026 (Week 9)
    Mar 2 2026

    Welcome to the Oklahoma RISE 25 and 25 RHTP Weekly Intelligence Brief. This episode, produced by the Oklahoma RISE 25 and 25 Foundation and directed by Dr. Keley John Booth (co‑founder and chief executive director), covers monitoring from February 21st through February 27th, 2026. We distill the key signals from CMS, state agencies, and the field to keep stakeholders informed and execution‑ready.

    During this monitoring cycle we observed no material content changes across official RHTP or Rural PACE Expansion channels. For the third consecutive week, the Oklahoma Rural Health Transformation Program page and the OHCA Rural PACE Expansion page remained substantively unchanged: no new requirements, no procurement guidance, and no newly linked documents. That continued quiet is itself a strategic signal worth unpacking.

    The core finding: Oklahoma's RHTP is in a deliberate, sustained pre‑procurement planning phase. The RHTP program page continues to display the February 12th touchpoint webinar links and standing federal award status information, while the OHCA Rural PACE page shows no new application guidance or deadlines. No RFPs, NOFOs, subaward announcements, planning grants, or amendments were posted during the coverage window.

    Context matters. Oklahoma's RHTP represents approximately $1.1 billion in federal investment (Oklahoma is the fifth‑largest awardee nationally) with a fiscal year 2026 allocation of $223.5 million. Given the scale and complexity of these funds, the observed pause aligns with a structured federal‑state coordination process — specifically the CMS budget revision review, which remains the gating event for public procurement activity.

    There are no new application deadlines or short‑term action windows to report this week. That said, stakeholders should not relax monitoring. When the CMS budget revision is finalized and procurement pathways are opened, deadlines may appear with compressed timelines. This quiet period is the time to prepare: review internal capacities for grant and contract responses, confirm data and reporting readiness, strengthen partnership networks, and revisit the February 12th webinar materials.

    Strategic signals and implications covered in this episode include: implementation phase stability (the state is maintaining stakeholder resources but not advancing public guidance beyond the February 12th materials); Rural PACE trajectory (OHCA has not published selection or solicitation documents, indicating internal planning continues); and compliance/oversight posture (legislative activity remains relevant even though no new RHTP‑specific bills surfaced this week).

    Watch list — items to monitor in the coming weeks: 1) CMS budget revision outcome (the single most consequential gating event); 2) RHTP procurement postings (RFPs, NOFOs, and related documentation); 3) OHCA Rural PACE procurement guidance or provider engagement notices; 4) Oklahoma legislative session developments that could affect timelines or requirements; and 5) announcements of additional stakeholder touchpoints or webinars.

    Single takeaway: this is a preparation window, not inaction. The public‑facing quiet reflects process—internal coordination and CMS approvals—not a reduction in program priority. Stakeholders who use this lull to get ready will have a meaningful advantage when procurement activity accelerates. Subscribe for ongoing intelligence from the Oklahoma RISE 25 and 25 Foundation and stay engaged for the next update.

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    13 min
  • Why Oklahoma’s Maternal Care Is Failing Mothers and How Tech Can Fix It — An Interview with Myri Health Founder Dr. Pinkey Patel
    Feb 24 2026

    In this episode of the Oklahoma Rise 25 in 25 podcast host Dr. Keley John Booth, MD speaks with Dr. Pinky Patel, PharmD — founder of Myri, an AI-enabled women’s and maternal health platform — about the crisis in maternal care in Oklahoma and practical solutions that can be implemented now. They weave Dr. Patel’s lived experience during pregnancy and a narrowly averted C-section with system-level analysis of why outcomes are poor for many Oklahomans.

    The conversation covers rising C‑section rates, the ‘‘weekend effect’’ and environmental triggers, gaps in provider practices, and the routinely underfunded recovery and postpartum period. Dr. Patel describes how routine care often stops at a single 6‑week postpartum visit (an average 11‑minute appointment), leaving mothers with untreated pelvic floor dysfunction, scar adhesions, chronic pain and mental health consequences.

    Central to the interview is Myri: why it was built, how it moves care upstream, and the concrete services it offers — individualized birth planning and education, pelvic floor prevention and rehab pathways, gamified and VR-enabled exercise feedback, remote patient monitoring (blood pressure, glucose), multilingual AI chatbot support (Maya), nutrition and activity tracking, and aggregation of siloed labs and device data. Dr. Patel explains the emphasis on prevention and scalable digital-first support for rural populations who lack specialized in-person pelvic health resources.

    The hosts dig into the user experience: onboarding via app store or QR codes through health departments or payers; integration with RPM devices and EMRs for escalations and provider alerts; care coordination, doula scheduling and documentation; and measurement of engagement, adherence and outcomes. They highlight demonstrated ROI signals (reduced complications, lower claims) and real-world results from state pilots — including improved postpartum outcomes in Kansas and international implementations.

    The episode also explains how the Oklahoma Rural Health Transformation Program presents a rare funding opportunity to fund RPM, telehealth infrastructure, workforce upskilling, doula training and consumer tech pilots — and why Oklahoma needs local implementation partners who have proven user adoption and clinical impact. Dr. Patel and Dr. Booth discuss barriers like vendor pre‑selection, leadership turnover, and the urgency of choosing solutions that actually engage mothers and close the data loop.

    Key takeaways: maternal health is a high‑impact upstream lever for population health; prevention (especially pelvic floor and rehabilitation) and continuous, data‑driven support must replace episodic care; technology like Myri can scale culturally tailored, evidence‑based interventions into rural settings; and committed local implementation is required to turn federal funding into lives saved. The episode closes with a call for Oklahoma clinicians, leaders and legislators to prioritize maternal health and to adopt scalable solutions that keep women and families at the center of care. Listeners can learn more about Myri at https://www.myrihealth.com/ Listeners are also invited to join the Oklahoma Rise 25 in 25 RHTP Task Force at Rise25in25.org or email info@rise25in25.org for more information. The Oklahoma Rise 25 and 25 RHTP Forum is produced and directed by Dr. Keley John Booth, MD.

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    46 min
  • Oklahoma RISE 25 in 25 RHTP Weekly Intelligence Brief for February 14–20, 2026 (Week 8)
    Feb 23 2026

    Welcome to the Oklahoma RISE 25 and 25 RHTP Weekly Intelligence Brief, produced by the Oklahoma RISE 25 and 25 Foundation and directed by Dr. Keley John Booth, co‑founder and chief executive director. This episode covers the signal window of February 14–20, 2026, and synthesizes the key public signals from CMS, state agencies, and field engagement to help stakeholders stay informed and execution‑ready.

    Topics covered include signal analysis, funding intelligence, deadlines/time‑sensitive actions, strategic implications, and a concise watch list of items to monitor. This week produced no new material signals requiring immediate stakeholder action, but a sustained absence of procurement activity combined with minor editorial updates to the RHTP official page constitutes an important strategic signal about program posture.

    Key observations and documentary details: the Oklahoma RHTP official webpage shows a last modified date of February 13, 2026 (editorial updates only); the February 12 R‑HT Program Touchpoint webinar recording and presentation materials remain posted and are currently the most recent stakeholder engagement resources; and the Oklahoma Healthcare Authority Rural PACE Expansion page saw no material changes during the coverage window. No new RFPs, notices of funding opportunity, procurement materials, or partner selection criteria were published on either page.

    Funding context: Oklahoma’s Rural Health Transformation Program represents approximately $1.1 billion in total federal investment (the fifth‑largest award nationally) with a fiscal year 2026 allocation of $223.5 million. While the scale of funding remains unchanged, the mechanisms for deploying those resources appear to be in active coordination and planning between state agencies and CMS rather than in public procurement release.

    Actionable status: there are no active open deadlines, submission windows, or required stakeholder actions at this time. Previously announced processes (including the PACE letters of intent) remain closed with no extensions posted. The recommended posture for organizations is readiness—not urgency—and to use this quiet period to finalize capability statements, partnerships, and operational readiness so they can respond quickly when solicitations are released.

    Strategic signals and implications: the February 13 editorial update and availability of the February 12 webinar suggest the state is maintaining public communications while working through internal sequencing and federal coordination. The ongoing procurement silence likely indicates a pre‑procurement planning phase that will precede competitive activity. Organizations that prepare now will gain a meaningful advantage when opportunities appear.

    Watch list (items to monitor in the coming weeks): outcomes of CMS budget revision negotiations (the gating event for procurement releases); OHCA public notices and provider pages for Rural PACE expansion developments; announcements of additional stakeholder engagement events (regional listening sessions or touchpoints); and relevant legislative activity or oversight measures that could shape implementation.

    Single‑sentence takeaway: Oklahoma’s RHTP is in a deliberate preparatory phase—absence of public procurement does not mean inactivity but rather federal/state coordination prior to deploying roughly $1.1 billion—so stakeholders should use this window to prepare strategically for the competitive opportunities to come.

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    10 min
  • Oklahoma RISE 25 in 25 RHTP Weekly Intelligence Brief for February 7–13, 2026 (Week 7)
    Feb 16 2026

    Welcome to the Oklahoma Rise 25 in 25 RHTP Weekly Intelligence Brief for February 7–13, 2026, produced by the Oklahoma Rise 25 in 25 Foundation and directed by Dr. Keley John Booth. This episode delivers concise, strategic updates on program activity, public reporting, and what stakeholders should prioritize as the Rural Health Transformation Program moves from engagement toward potential procurement.

    This week produced two material signals: (1) the Oklahoma State Department of Health updated the RHTP webpage on February 13 with resources from a February 12 touchpoint webinar (recording and presentation now available at oklahoma.gov/health/R‑H‑T‑P.html), signaling active stakeholder engagement and operational readiness; and (2) intensified independent media scrutiny—highlighted by OKC‑FOX—raising questions about fiscal oversight and compliance controls tied to the $223.5 million FY2026 allocation of Oklahoma’s roughly $1.1 billion R‑H‑T‑P award.

    We walk through concrete developments: the OSDH posting of the webinar materials (a forward indicator of communication infrastructure and a likely precursor to procurement activity), no changes on the OHCA Rural PACE expansion page during this period, and the absence of any new RFP, NOFO, or funding release while the CMS budget revision remains the gating variable.

    The episode assesses strategic implications: media scrutiny creates an accountability framework that will increase expectations for governance, compliance, and reporting; the touchpoint webinar demonstrates a pivot toward field engagement and suggests procurement could follow quickly once CMS approvals clear; and the intersection of these forces means stakeholders must balance speed with rigorous fiscal and operational readiness.

    Key watch items covered: CMS budget revision confirmation, RHTP procurement postings, releases of oversight and compliance frameworks, additional program touchpoint webinars, any updates to the Rural PACE expansion page, and potential legislative oversight activity. Practical recommendations: review the February 12 webinar materials, audit your organization’s compliance and financial reporting posture, prepare capacity to respond rapidly to solicitations, and monitor the R‑H‑T‑P page and agency communications closely.

    Single takeaway: the program is in motion and building engagement infrastructure while public accountability expectations are rising — prepare now for both competitive opportunity and heightened oversight. Hosted and directed by Dr. Keley John Booth, this brief equips you to stay informed and execution ready; we’ll return next week with another update.

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    13 min
  • Oklahoma RISE 25 in 25 RHTP Weekly Intelligence Brief for Jan 31– February 7, 2026 (Week 6)
    Feb 9 2026

    Welcome to the Oklahoma RISE 25 in 25 R-H-T-P Weekly Intelligence Brief covering January 31–February 7, 2026. Produced by the Oklahoma Rise 25 in 25 Foundation and directed by Dr. Keley John Booth, this episode cuts through the noise to deliver two material signals that mark a shift from quiet planning to visible implementation momentum for Oklahoma’s Rural Health Transformation Program (R-H-T-P).

    In this episode we cover two headline developments: (1) the Oklahoma State Department of Health’s announcement of the first official R-H-T program touchpoint — a virtual stakeholder engagement session on Thursday, February 12, 2026, noon–1 p.m. CT via Zoom — and (2) a February 7 New England Journal of Medicine article by researchers from Princeton and Harvard that elevates the R-H-T-P’s national visibility and policy relevance.

    The episode walks through the touchpoint logistics (Zoom link and calendar invite posted now at oklahoma.gov/health/R-H-T-P.html), the announced agenda (overview of Oklahoma’s Rural Health Transformation Plan including updates on additional year-one funding, progress updates to date, and guidance on stakeholder engagement), and why each agenda item matters strategically for procurement timing, funding clarity, and participation pathways.

    We provide funding intelligence, noting Oklahoma’s active FY2026 federal award of $223,476,949 within a five-year allocation of approximately $1.1 billion, and highlight the $23.5 million overfunding question that required a budget resubmission to CMS. The episode explains why CMS budget approval remains the gating event for procurement and funding opportunity releases, and why the touchpoint’s promise of “additional year-one funding” is a critical signal to watch.

    Key implications and recommended actions are emphasized: register for and attend the Feb 12 touchpoint; task force leaders should finalize implementation questions by Feb 11; review the NEJM article by Feb 10 for national policy context; and update stakeholder readiness assessments by Feb 14. We also advise ongoing monitoring of OHCA public notices for PACE and value-based care solicitations, the R-H-T-P webpage for post-touchpoint updates, and any subsequent stakeholder webinars or RFPs that may follow CMS approval.

    Finally, we contextualize the NEJM coverage as both an opportunity and a demand for higher transparency and execution quality—national scrutiny increases partnership interest but raises accountability—and underscore that the touchpoint’s third agenda item on stakeholder engagement could define formal participation pathways. The single critical takeaway: Oklahoma’s R-H-T-P has moved into active stakeholder engagement; the Feb 12 touchpoint is the first and most important opportunity to be in the room as implementation pathways are shaped.

    For full written intelligence reports and coordination with the RISE 25 in 25 RHTP Task Force, visit rise25in25.org. Subscribe, share, prepare your questions, align your teams, and show up ready to engage.

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    13 min
  • Oklahoma RISE 25 in 25 RHTP Weekly Intelligence Brief for Jan 24–30, 2026 (Week 5)
    Feb 2 2026

    Welcome to the Oklahoma RISE 25 in 25 RHTP Weekly Intelligence Brief. This episode, covering January 24–30, 2026, is produced by the Oklahoma RISE 25 in 25 Foundation and directed by Dr. Keley John Booth, MD, co-founder and chief executive director. Each week we deliver concise, actionable intelligence on Oklahoma’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), cutting through noise to highlight key signals from CMS, state agencies, and the field along with strategic context for stakeholders.

    Topics covered in this brief: a Top Signals overview showing no material announcements this week; a Signal Deep Dive that confirms no new postings or guidance from the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA), or CMS; funding intelligence including federal RHTP funding context; the critical time-sensitive action around Rural PACE Expansion letters of intent; strategic implications of a consolidation-and-clarification phase; and a watch list of near-term items stakeholders should monitor.

    Guests and production: the brief is presented and directed by Dr. Keely John Booth, MD. There were no external guests this week; the episode focuses on the intelligence synthesis derived from monitoring state and federal channels, media, and program pages.

    Key points listeners can expect: no new Oklahoma-specific RHTP guidance or funding announcements during the reporting period; Oklahoma’s RHTP landscape is in a consolidation/clarification phase rather than active public rollout; the Rural PACE Expansion program remains the primary near-term action pathway and OHCA continues to accept non-binding letters of intent; federal context — Oklahoma’s total CMS RHTP award is approximately $1.1 billion, with $223.5 million for federal fiscal year 2026 — shapes priorities and timing; and the current quiet is an opportunity for organizations to build readiness and positioning before activity accelerates.

    Actionable items called out in the episode: submit a Rural PACE Expansion letter of intent if your rural or tribal organization is considering PACE and has not yet signaled interest; use the consolidation period to assess infrastructure, workforce, governance, and data capabilities; monitor OSDH’s RHTP program page and the OHCA newsroom for future postings; watch for potential OHCA clarification on PACE service areas and eligibility; expect possible CMS-to-state guidance and stakeholder webinars in early Q1; and follow legislative activity such as HB 3975 for oversight implications.

    Strategic takeaway: the lack of new public announcements is not a pause but a preparation window. Stakeholders that use this time to build internal readiness—aligning programs to RHTP priorities, prioritizing Rural PACE alignment, and establishing organizational flexibility—will be better positioned to act quickly when new guidance, funding opportunities, or implementation milestones arrive.

    Listen for our weekly intelligence updates and visit the Oklahoma RISE 25 in 25 Foundation for full written reports, deeper analysis, and resources to support planning and implementation. We’ll continue monitoring OSDH, OHCA, CMS, and related channels and will flag any material announcements as they occur.

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    13 min
  • Oklahoma RISE 25 in 25 RHTP Weekly Intelligence Brief for January 17–23, 2026 (Week 4)
    Jan 26 2026

    Welcome to the Oklahoma RISE 25 and 25 RHTP Weekly Intelligence Brief, produced by the Oklahoma RISE 25 and 25 Foundation and directed by Dr. Keley John Booth, MD. This episode covers the key signals and strategic implications from the coverage window January 17–23, 2026, focused on Oklahoma’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) and the Oklahoma Healthcare Authority’s Rural PACE expansion timeline.

    In this briefing we cover two material signals that require immediate attention. Signal One: Oklahoma submitted a revised RHTP plan to CMS during the coverage window, triggering a formal 30‑day federal review period and initiating implementation phasing. Signal Two: the Rural PACE Expansion Initiative continues its partner intake timeline; the critical letter of interest (LOI) deadline for interested organizations is January 31, 2026 — five days from this briefing.

    Signal One detail: the Oklahoma Hospital Association reported the state adjusted its RHTP plan to reflect additional funding and submitted the revision to CMS. The 30‑day federal review clock begins upon CMS receipt and will shape the pace of downstream activity. OHA clarified near‑term implementation phasing: Phase 1 (central RHTP administration build‑out) will continue through March while Phase 2 (program design) runs in parallel. Stakeholder engagement will begin during Phase 1 and program managers will refine an implementation roadmap in February that includes metrics, timelines, and pathways. Practical implication: the state is building infrastructure now; organizations that wait for formal solicitations risk being behind when opportunities materialize.

    Signal Two detail: OHCA confirmed the Rural PACE Rural Growth Webinar took place January 22 as scheduled, advancing the partner intake process. Organizations interested in participating must submit a letter of interest by January 31, 2026 to paceinquiry@okhca.org. The first‑round provider selections are expected to be announced on March 16, 2026. If your organization is considering Rural PACE participation, this LOI deadline is the immediate action item.

    Funding intelligence: no new Oklahoma RHTP RFPs or NOFOs were released in public sources during the coverage window, and no amendments or additional funding announcements were identified. Reminder of the federal context: RHTP is a $50 billion national initiative over five years ($10 billion annually 2026–2030). Oklahoma’s total award is approximately $1.1 billion (the fifth largest nationally), with a FY2026 allocation of $223.5 million. This is an administrative preparation period rather than active procurement in most program streams.

    Strategic implications: stakeholders should prepare for compliance‑heavy procurement and reporting requirements; OHA emphasized alignment with Oklahoma procurement statutes and warned that CMS may claw back funds if requirements are not met. Begin building compliance and documentation infrastructure now. Additionally, legislative oversight is increasing: House Bill 3975 seeks oversight of federal RHTP funds received by the Oklahoma State Department of Health and may influence implementation timelines and reporting obligations. The RISE 25 and 25 Task Force will monitor legislative developments.

    Watch list and deadlines: 1) Rural PACE LOI deadline — January 31, 2026 (critical); 2) Rural PACE first‑round provider selections expected March 16, 2026; 3) State implementation roadmap development and stakeholder refinement activity expected in February; 4) OSDH RHTP public program page for program launch updates; 5) Legislative tracking for HB 3975.

    Top takeaway: Oklahoma’s revised RHTP plan is now in CMS hands and a 30‑day federal review clock is active. Implementation infrastructure is being established and program design is underway. If there is one action this week: submit your Rural PACE letter of interest to paceinquiry@okhca.org by January 31, 2026. For the full written intelligence report and additional foundation resources visit rise25in25.org.

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    11 min
  • Closing the Loop: A Key $2.05M Platform Investment to Improve Oklahoma's Rural Health Connectivity
    Jan 19 2026

    Welcome to the Oklahoma Rise 25 in 25 RHTP podcast. In this episode we dive into the closed-loop community care platform — the strategic spine of Oklahoma's Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).

    We unpack what a closed-loop referral system actually means on the ground for rural clinicians, care coordinators, hospital leaders, and community-based organizations (CBOs). The episode explains why the $2.05 million investment (spread across five years) is framed as foundational infrastructure, how it builds on the existing FindHelp referral network that has already processed more than 125,000 referrals across some 4,800 programs, and why connecting social needs data to clinical workflows is essential to ‘moving upstream’ and preventing costly, avoidable care.

    Topics covered include the program’s scope and target population (111 rural sites: 39 critical access hospitals, 4 rural emergency hospitals, and 68 county health departments); the operational model and contract approach with FindHelp under OHCA oversight; the detailed budget breakdown (annual platform licensing, $258,000/year in community support specialists for hands-on workflow adoption, and ~$152,000/year for startup hardware and EHR integration); and the technical and human dependencies required for success.

    Key program linkages and dependencies are highlighted, including alignment with the community health worker expansion ($10.8M), chronic disease management investments (~$39.5M), consumer-facing technology ($14.5M), the Okishare/health information exchange interoperability effort (~$29.21M), and the EHR expansion (~$44.88M). The episode explains how the CLCCP acts as a force multiplier for these larger investments by enabling verifiable referrals, real-time tracking, and population-level social needs data.

    We also address critical operational assumptions and risks: facility readiness and leadership prioritization, broadband and connectivity constraints in rural Oklahoma, and the capacity and willingness of thousands of CBOs to report outcomes (the decisive ‘third leg’ of the closed loop). Performance measures discussed include the percentage of closed-loop referrals, user satisfaction targets (with a 55% satisfaction benchmark by years 4–5), active use by targeted facilities, and counts of engaged CBOs — all feeding into evaluations planned for Q3 FY27 and Q1 FY28.

    The episode walks through the aggressive implementation timeline (Q2 FY26 preparation, Q3 FY26 launch across 111 facilities, five years of RHTP-funded support, and a FY31 decision point for steady-state funding) and the three sustainability pathways OHCA and partners are pursuing: provider-assumed subscription costs, Medicaid administrative claiming, and payer subscriptions from insurers and managed care organizations.

    Listeners will come away with a clear sense of why the closed-loop community care platform is not just a referral tool but a critical accountability infrastructure designed to reduce preventable ED visits, stabilize rural hospitals, and embed social needs into statewide health data systems. The final, provocative test posed by the episode: will rural providers and payers be willing to sustain the platform financially after FY31 — the true measure of system change.

    Listeners are invited to join the Oklahoma Rise 25 in 25 RHTP Task Force at Rise25in25.org or email info@rise25in25.org for more information. The Oklahoma Rise 25 and 25 RHTP Forum is produced and directed by Dr. Keley John Booth, MD.

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    35 min