Spotlight on: Rural Health Transformation

Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP)

Client: Health Resources and Services Administration

RCORP supports rural communities as they address substance use and expand access to care, helping local partners strengthen prevention, treatment, and recovery services. The program has reached more than 875 rural communities nationwide, expanding access to critical services.

Abt evaluates RCORP to understand what works in real-world settings. We assess changes in access to treatment, service coordination, and long-term sustainability. Through chartbooks and other data products, Abt identifies gaps in programming, coordination, and sustainability. These insights guide targeted technical assistance and continuous improvement. The result is stronger behavioral health services in rural communities and better-informed decisions for future RCORP investments.

Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) Value-Based Purchasing programs

Client: Maryland HSCRC

Abt supports the design and implementation of Maryland’s value-based health care programs to improve access, quality, and cost control. We work with state leaders to translate policy goals into practical models that providers can adopt. 

Our team combines data analysis with hands-on support. We help stakeholders use claims and demographic data to guide decisions, strengthen coordination across providers, and monitor performance over time. 

Results: Maryland’s Total Cost of Care model found $689 million in savings, driven by slower hospital spending growth, fewer admissions, and improved quality measures. Hospital use also declined more in Maryland than in other states, largely due to reduced outpatient hospital utilization. These findings inform ongoing efforts to build a more sustainable system that expands access and improves outcomes.

Supporting MassHealth’s Transition to Value-Based Payment

Client: MassHealth

Abt supported Massachusetts’ Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment program in its statewide shift toward coordinated, value-based care. We launched and managed a complex, multi-stakeholder transformation effort, supporting Accountable Care Organizations, community providers, and state leadership from governance design through implementation and sustainability planning.

Our technical assistance, data-driven insights, and hands-on support helped providers improve care coordination, strengthen community partnerships, and manage costs. Massachusetts now has a more integrated, stable system that better meets patient needs.

2024–2025 Wyoming Statewide Strategic Housing Action Plan

Client: Wyoming Community Development Authority

Abt helps states align housing, workforce, and economic systems so rural communities can sustain access to care and other essential services.

In Wyoming, we developed a data-driven roadmap to address housing shortages, grounded in statewide analysis and local input across diverse markets, including rural communities. We translated these insights into practical actions and tools for state and local leaders.

The plan outlines near- and long-term strategies to expand housing supply, improve affordability, and reduce barriers to development—helping communities attract and retain essential workers and support long-term stability.