Georgia health officials have introduced a $1.4 billion, five-year plan aimed at improving health outcomes in rural communities through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, created in this summer’s budget reconciliation law.

In a 96-page application, the Georgia Department of Community Health requested funding to expand access to primary and specialty care, strengthen telehealth, and recruit more health care providers in rural counties.

The proposal—called Georgia Rural Enhancement And Transformation of Health (GREAT Health)—includes 29 projects. The largest funding category, more than $428 million, would help up to 86 eligible hospitals transition into the federal AHEAD Model, which emphasizes primary and preventive care while working to control health care costs.

Another $175 million would support rural hospital infrastructure improvements, and $148 million would help recruit and retain providers, including adding 75 new residency slots each year in fields like family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics.

State officials say the funds come with strict federal oversight, but if approved, first-year money could arrive by the end of the year.