Missouri – Missouri is about to get a big boost for rural healthcare after getting more than $216 million in first-year funding from the federal Rural Health Transformation Program. Governor Mike Kehoe and the Missouri Department of Social Services announced the award on December 29. It came after a competitive national selection process administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
The money represents Missouri’s entry into a long-term project focused at extending access to care, improving health outcomes, and fostering innovative approaches to service delivery in rural communities. The whole program costs $50 billion throughout the country, with $10 billion going to each state every year for five years. Missouri’s first-year funding puts it among the states that are getting early help to improve rural health systems.
The Department of Social Services’ MO HealthNet Division will be in charge of the funds, according to state officials. The division’s job is to help enhance care coordination, boost quality standards, and support healthcare models that can last when the program ends. The goal is to create a system that better meets the needs of people who live in rural areas while also fixing problems with access and results that have been around for a long time.
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Governor Kehoe stated that the award is the result of months of preparation and working together amongst state departments and healthcare partners.
“This historic investment by the Trump Administration will strengthen Missouri’s rural communities with additional resources for high-quality, accessible healthcare,” said Governor Kehoe.
“We appreciate the work of our state agencies and healthcare stakeholders in submitting a thorough and competitive plan. Through Missouri’s Rural Health Transformation plan, we are supporting local partners who understand their communities and are positioned to deliver meaningful, lasting impact for future generations of Missourians.”
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Department of Social Services Director Jess Bax said that the money will help rural providers improve their services, make them more modern, and better meet the requirements of their patients. She said that working together with other agencies and outside partners was necessary to create a plan that met federal criteria and showed concrete goals.
The Rural Health Transformation Program wants hospitals, clinics, mental health providers, community groups, and local leaders to work together. Missouri’s plan was made with cooperation from many state departments and healthcare groups. It focuses on new ideas, getting people involved in their communities, and being responsible.
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State officials say that the investment is a big chance to change how healthcare is delivered in rural areas and help Missouri communities become healthier in the future.
For more information on CMS’ Rural Health Transformation Program, visit this link.
