FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 22, 2026

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Trump Administration Announces More Than $45 Million to Upgrade Rural Missouri Hospitals, Connect Families to Rapid Psychiatric Consultations and Maternal Care, and Train More EMS Professionals Across Missouri

This federal investment will upgrade rural hospitals, connect providers with behavioral and maternal health specialists, and grow the emergency care workforce in rural Missouri

The Trump Administration announced today that more than $45 million in Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding is being delivered to support rural healthcare for Missouri residents. This investment will support hospital infrastructure improvements, expand behavioral and maternal healthcare access, and strengthen the rural emergency medical services workforce.

The announcement includes approximately $35 million to support 20 rural hospital projects — covering facility improvements, building system upgrades, new diagnostic equipment, and renovated critical care and treatment spaces. It also includes up to $6.4 million to connect rural providers with behavioral health and perinatal specialists, including rapid psychiatric consultations, often within 30 minutes, for children and families, along with referral services, provider training, and additional support for pregnant and postpartum patients. And up to $4.2 million will grow Missouri's rural EMS workforce, with 437 individuals selected to begin funded EMT and paramedic training and incentives for rural agencies to hire and retain certified staff. These investments build on the Administration’s more than $7 million in funding previously announced to strengthen Missouri’s rural maternal health workforce through expanded doula training and certification and to expand mobile healthcare and community paramedicine services across rural communities.

“President Trump understands that every American deserves high-quality healthcare, no matter where they live,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “We are putting resources directly into rural communities to strengthen the health workforce, modernize infrastructure, expand access, and bring care closer to home. We are giving states the flexibility to build solutions around the people they serve, while demanding accountability for results. That is how we strengthen rural health, improve the lives of patients and families, and Make America Healthy Again.”

“President Trump made a historic commitment to rural America, and these investments are turning that commitment into better care for patients in communities across Missouri,” said Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “This is what rural health transformation should look like: federal investment that is putting patients first, driving lasting improvements and expanding healthcare for the hardworking Americans who call these communities home.”

Today’s investment was made possible through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act — passed by Republicans in Congress and unanimously opposed by Democrats — delivering a historic $50 billion investment to help states transform the way healthcare is delivered in America.

“A person’s ZIP code should never determine whether they can see a doctor, receive emergency care, or access the services they need to live a healthy life,” said Gov. Mike Kehoe. “With this investment, we can continue to deliver meaningful improvements in rural healthcare for generations to come. We’re grateful to President Trump and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for their continued partnership as we work to build a stronger, healthier future for rural Missouri.” 

“Rural communities deserve high-quality healthcare — and for many Americans, rural hospitals are the only option available. Choosing to live outside of a major metro area shouldn’t mean you receive subpar care. As affordability remains top-of-mind for many American families, Republicans have been fighting for policies that lower costs and make life better for our nation. The Working Families Tax Cuts enacted new, historic investment into rural healthcare services and included my provision to expand home and community-based options for individuals with special needs. This announcement of additional RHTP funding for rural healthcare is yet another step in Republicans’ efforts to deliver for rural communities and help Americans live healthier lives,” said Sen. Eric Schmitt

“I was proud to vote for this funding in the Working Families Tax Cut legislation, so our rural hospitals have the necessary resources to provide patients with the top-notch healthcare they need and deserve.  This is a transformative investment in rural healthcare that will support healthier families for generations to come.  I will keep working with the Administration to ensure our local hospitals here in Missouri continue to modernize and have the funding flexibility to support patients close to home in the ways that work best for them,” said Rep. Ann Wagner

“The Rural Health Transformation Program, authorized by the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, is putting critical resources directly into the services and care Missouri families rely on. As a physician, I have seen firsthand how important it is for patients, especially those in rural communities, to have access to quality care close to home. These investments will strengthen our healthcare workforce, equip rural hospitals to better serve their patients, and help ensure Missourians can access the care they need,” said Rep. Bob Onder.

“Americans should not have to drive an hour or more to get the care they need, and the Rural Health Transformation Program is helping us change that. House Republicans enacted the largest investment in rural healthcare in American history through our Working Families Tax Cuts. We are putting resources directly into rural hospitals, EMS systems, behavioral health services, and maternal care that Missouri families rely on. I’ve visited nearly every rural hospital in Missouri’s Fourth District, and I’ve seen firsthand what these investments mean for keeping hospital doors open, strengthening our healthcare workforce, and ensuring families can receive quality care close to home. This is exactly what the Rural Health Transformation Program was designed to do: strengthen rural communities and ensure the heartland is not left behind,” said Rep. Mark Alford.

“Rural hospitals are a lifeline for our communities. Whether it’s a broken bone, a farm accident, or just routine care, we depend on them to be there when we need them. That can’t happen if they aren’t open, which is why we passed the Rural Health Transformation Program last year. The expansion of maternal healthcare access and rural EMS workforce, that are included in this funding, are critical needs in North Missouri. I’m thrilled to see this funding continue to make its way to our communities, so we can ensure that rural Missourians have access to the quality healthcare they depend on,” said Rep. Sam Graves

"Rural hospitals are the backbone of communities like the ones I grew up in. When a rural hospital shuts its doors, that often means an extra hour on the road to see a doctor, and that extra hour can be the difference between life and death,” said Rep. Jason Smith. "That's exactly why I fought to create the Rural Health Transformation Program when I was writing the One, Big, Beautiful Bill. I knew we had to make a real investment in rural healthcare, so hospitals, clinics, and EMS crews have the resources they need to continue serving the families who depend on them. I was glad to see it pay off for my hometown recently when Salem Memorial hospital received $1.7 million through the RHTP, and this announcement is just further proof that the One, Big, Beautiful Bill is delivering for families and rural communities across the nation. I will never stop fighting to make sure our rural communities have access to the quality healthcare they deserve."

Today’s announcement is one part of the larger overall funding amount awarded to Missouri for fiscal year 2026.

Missouri's broader RHTP strategy is designed to strengthen coordination and build a more sustainable rural healthcare system. Key initiatives the overall RHTP funding will focus on include: 

• Strengthening local and regional care networks: Supporting local community hubs and regional networks to improve care coordination and better connect rural Missourians with healthcare providers and services.
• Building the rural healthcare workforce: Supporting recruitment, training, clinical education, and retention strategies to strengthen the pipeline of healthcare professionals serving rural communities.
• Advancing technology and data: Building shared digital infrastructure and improving interoperability and data sharing to better connect rural providers and support coordinated care.
• Transforming rural care delivery: Supporting provider modernization and innovative care and payment models designed to improve care and strengthen long-term sustainability.

The Trump Administration is delivering on its commitment to strengthen rural America by investing in solutions that modernize technology to promote health and well-being for rural communities. Led by CMS, the RHTP is moving beyond the failed one-size-fits-all approach and giving rural communities the tools to build stronger, more innovative, and more sustainable health systems that deliver better care and better outcomes for the Americans they serve.

For more information about the RHTP, visit: https://www.medicaid.gov/resources-for-states/rural-health.

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