Governor Mike Kehoe and the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) announced the State of Missouri has been awarded more than $216 million in funding for the first year of the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program, a $50 billion initiative designed to strengthen healthcare access, improve outcomes, and support innovative care in rural communities. A total of $10 billion will be awarded annually to states over the next five fiscal years.
The Rural Health Transformation Program emphasizes collaboration among hospitals, clinics, community-based organizations, and local leaders to develop sustainable solutions tailored to the unique needs of Missouri’s rural areas.
“By addressing longstanding health disparities affecting rural residents through these locally driven solutions, we are helping rural providers build capacity, modernize services, and better meet the needs of Missouri patients,” said DSS Director Jess Bax. “This investment would not have been possible without the collaborative efforts across state agencies and our external partners. The funding announced today provides Missourians with an opportunity to change the landscape of healthcare access and outcomes for our rural communities.”
You can read the full press release here.