The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding is being granted to Louisiana, Nebraska, and Iowa, totaling more than $423.7 million to improve rural health across the three states.
These awards are in addition to the $20 million investment in rural healthcare in North Carolina announced on September 30, and part of the Rural Health Transformation Program’s $50 billion initiative. These awards come from the Working Families Tax Cuts Act.
What to know:
- Louisiana will receive $37.7 million for rural healthcare workforce expansion, training, and retention. This includes real-world training opportunities for students, and sign-on and retention bonuses for employees.
- Nebraska will receive more than $177 million. The funding has already helped expand the rural health workforce in 51 counties, provided 45 healthcare facilities with advanced technology for remote patient monitoring, and provided mental health support.
- Iowa will receive more than $209 million for the state’s Healthy Hometowns initiative. Through this funding, Iowa’s first Maternal-Fetal Medicine Telehealth Network will be established and supported, rural hospitals will receive technology to perform advanced procedures, health information exchange tools will be implemented, cancer prevention and screening will be more accessible, and more.
All 50 states will receive part of the $50 billion from the Rural Health Transformation Program before the end of 2030. Funding is aimed at helping states implement their plans to:
- Make healthcare reachable, focusing on preventive, primary, emergency, maternal, and behavioral health services
- Address the workforce shortage with new initiatives
- Update buildings and technology used for healthcare
- Promote local care
- Create new care models
Key questions answered
What is the Rural Health Transformation Program’s $50 billion initiative?
The Rural Health Transformation Program’s $50 billion initiative is a project supported by the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, where all 50 U.S. states will receive funding over the next four years to enhance rural health.
Are North Carolina, Louisiana, Nebraska, and Iowa the only states that will receive funding from this initiative?
No. All 50 states will receive part of the $50 billion from the Rural Health Transformation Program before the end of 2030.
Additional reading
$20 million invested to boost rural healthcare in North Carolina
All 50 states submit applications for rural health funding under new CMS initiative
Rural Health Transformation Program: A $50 billion initiative to improve healthcare access
Rural communities have worse heart health
