Big bucks could soon be flowing into the Badger State to boost rural health care, all thanks to a hefty billion-dollar bid by Wisconsin's Department of Health Services (DHS). Gov. Tony Evers has his sights set on transforming the health landscape for the state's rural residents, and with support from over 200 partners, the DHS has shaped an application that could bring this vision closer to reality. "Ensuring Wisconsinites have access to affordable health care is a top priority for me and my administration, and this work is more important than ever," Gov. Evers said in a statement from DHS, as the administration pitches to land vital federal funding.
With rural communities frequently left in the lurch when it comes to health care, Wisconsin aims to drastically improve access and quality of care in these areas. The proposed initiatives are set to tackle key challenges head-on—bolstering the rural health care workforce, driving technology and innovation, and transforming care through strategic partnerships. One major chunk of the money, $337 million to be exact, will go towards innovative workforce projects in rural communities. "This opportunity builds upon our efforts to provide Wisconsin with the support we need to improve access to care for people who live in rural parts of the state," DHS Secretary Kirsten Johnson told the DHS's news release.
Nearly a third of Wisconsin's population lives in rural areas, where outdated technologies and fragmented systems can affect health care delivery. The DHS plans to use $329 million in funding to upgrade digital infrastructure and establish a digital rural health collaborative. Gov. Evers and his administration have been working on improving rural health care access since 2019.
The DHS plans to collaborate with local and Tribal governments and other partners upon securing funding. They also intend to establish a management team, including a program director, to oversee the initiative. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is expected to make its funding decision by the end of the year.
