Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has announced Iowa’s submission of a “Healthy Hometowns” proposal in an effort to revamp the state’s rural health care through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program. The program is administered through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and could bring up to $200 million per year to the state over five years. Rural Iowans have a 30-minute drive, on average, to their nearest hospital and a 24-minute drive to their primary care provider. The Healthy Hometowns proposal looks to address these related challenges through a hub-and-spoke model of care. The plan includes expanding telehealth, boosting rural medical recruitment, increasing cancer screening and treatment, improving health information sharing, and deploying mobile EMS units. Reynolds says, “Since taking office, my administration has emphasized the importance of supporting and revitalizing rural Iowa through targeted investments and policy initiatives. Rural communities are the backbone of our state—home to nearly half of all Iowans and the foundation of our economy, culture, and identity. Healthy Hometowns is a pivotal opportunity to build a high-quality, sustainable system of care that vastly improves health, well-being, and quality of life for rural Iowans.” If implemented, the state anticipates reductions in emergency department visits, more local care options for Iowans, improved provider-to-population ratios, and increased telehealth access. Notices of state awards are expected Dec. 31. Links with more information about Healthy Hometowns are included with this story on our website.
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