Gov. Mike Kehoe announced Missouri will receive more than $216 million in first-year funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program, a federal initiative to expand rural health care access and outcomes.
The program totals $50 billion, with half distributed evenly to all states from 2026 to 2030 and the remaining funds allocated by need.
Missouri’s award ranks in the top 10 nationwide, a boost Governor Kehoe says will strengthen rural communities with high-quality, accessible health care.
The funds will be managed through MO HealthNet, Missouri’s Medicaid program, to help rural providers modernize, build capacity, and address longstanding health disparities.
The state emphasizes a locally driven plan built with input from multiple agencies and partnerships to create a sustainable rural health network for generations.