Governor Kehoe Announces Over $55 Million in New Funding to Strengthen and Modernize Rural Healthcare Across Missouri
Governor Mike Kehoe, in partnership with the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS), announced the upcoming launch of more than $55 million in new funding opportunities designed to revitalize, modernize, and strengthen healthcare in rural Missouri.
Administered through Missouri’s groundbreaking Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) and Healthier Communities Together (HCT), these new investments build upon $15 million in recently released discretionary funding. They mark a historic step forward in ensuring that every Missourian, no matter their zip code, has access to high-quality, modern, and reliable healthcare.
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“Our rural hospitals, clinics, and frontline clinicians are critical to the success of Missouri communities,” said Governor Kehoe. “With this new $55 million investment, we are putting tools directly into the hands of local providers. We are cutting red tape, upgrading technology to save doctors valuable time, bringing critical maternal and mental health care directly to communities via mobile units, and making sure our rural healthcare workforce has the support they need to stay and thrive right here in Missouri.”
Investing in What Matters: Where the Funding Goes
This $55+ million rollout focuses on real-world solutions to the most pressing challenges facing rural Missouri families and healthcare providers:
- Mobile Health Units ($5 Million): Capital awards to purchase and equip state-of-the-art mobile health units. These clinics-on-wheels will bring maternal care, mental health services, and primary care directly to high-need counties across rural Missouri.
- Supporting Our Healthcare Heroes ($11 Million): Locally designed programs to help rural communities recruit and keep doctors, nurses, and specialists. This funding targets local barriers like childcare and housing so our frontline workers can focus on what they do best: saving lives.
- Cutting-Edge Technology & Ambient AI ($37.5 Million combined): Missouri is helping rural clinics and hospitals modernize healthcare and upgrade their digital infrastructure with innovative local solutions that improve efficiency, security, and patient care by allowing providers to spend more face-to-face time with patients.
- Upgrading Digital Systems ($24.4M): Critical upgrades to keep healthcare records secure, connected, and modern.
- Digital Innovation Pilots ($8M): Empowering local providers to pitch and pioneer their own digital healthcare solutions tailored to their community’s unique needs.
- High-Risk Pregnancy Monitoring ($2.5 Million): Specialized funding for Southeast and Southcentral Missouri to enable remote monitoring for high-risk prenatal and postpartum mothers, protecting both mom and baby from the comfort of their homes.
- Lifesaving Telehealth Specialist Access ($1 Million): Ensuring rural hospitals can instantly connect with on-demand cardiac and stroke specialists when seconds count.
- Securing Essential Care Certifications ($1 Million): Helping rural hospitals secure national certifications in emergency stroke, heart attack, and trauma care so that Missourians always have top-tier emergency services nearby.
A Proven Track Record of Success
This announcement builds on a highly successful first year of RHTP implementation. To date, the state has delivered $75 million in direct awards to 36 unique rural providers and successfully established 27 local Transformation of Rural Community Health “ToRCH” Care Hubs serving every single rural county in Missouri.
As Missouri prepares for its next federal funding award from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) at the end of this year, Year 2 planning is already well underway to maintain this positive momentum.
How Local Providers Can Apply
The state will host a series of informational webinars in mid-November to guide local healthcare providers through the simple application processes:
The Governor’s Office encourages all eligible rural hospitals, clinics, and community partners to connect early with their local Hub Program Coordinator and Leadership Board for information on upcoming opportunities and to prepare to apply as each opportunity opens.
“Missouri’s Rural Health Transformation Program is leading the nation in rural health innovation,” Governor Kehoe added. “Together, we are building a healthier, stronger, and more resilient Missouri for generations to come.”
Visit dss.mo.gov/mhd/rural-health for additional information and resources.
