Missouri is taking steps to improve healthcare access in rural areas. Governor Mike Kehoe, along with the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS), announced that the state has submitted its Rural Health Transformation (RHT) plan to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), according to the Office of the Governor. The plan is designed to strengthen healthcare accessibility, quality, and sustainability for rural communities across Missouri.
The RHT plan represents a collaborative effort between the Governor’s Office, state agencies, and key healthcare stakeholders to create a coordinated, regional healthcare framework. It seeks to connect providers, pharmacies, and public health entities while expanding primary care and mental health services. The plan also aims to improve access to specialty and complex care through telehealth initiatives and advanced patient technologies, aligning with CMS priorities established in previous federal administrations.
Addressing the needs of Missouri’s rural healthcare, the plan aims to create a resilient system capable of long-term sustainability. "We appreciate the Trump Administration's focus on strengthening rural communities and creating this historic funding opportunity through the One Big Beautiful Bill," Governor Kehoe said in a press release.
With Jess Bax leading the effort, the Department of Social Services (DSS) is guiding Missouri’s RHT application in collaboration with the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and the Department of Mental Health (DMH). Under DSS oversight, the plan emphasizes incentivizing improved health outcomes through shared savings from avoidable healthcare costs. "Our department was proud to collaborate across state agencies and with key stakeholders to craft this bold plan," Director Jess Bax stated in a press release, highlighting DSS’s commitment to enhancing rural healthcare services. CMS is expected to review the submitted proposals and announce awardees by December 31, initiating a five-year cooperative agreement for funding distribution.
