Iowa Receives Another $216 Million to Improve Rural Health Care

Iowa is getting another $216 million in federal funding aimed at improving health care in our rural communities. It's part of a larger effort called Healthy Hometowns, which is designed to make it easier for people living in rural communities to get the appropriate medical care without needing to travel long distances; something we've become all to accustomed to.

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According to a press release from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, the latest award from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services totals just over $216 million. That's about $7 million more than Iowa received during the program's first year, when the state was awarded approximately $209 million.

What Does Iowa Plan To Do with That Money?

The goal is to strengthen rural health care in several different ways. That includes helping hospitals and clinics get the equipment and technology they need. It means recruiting and retaining medical professionals, as well as expanding specialty care, and finding better ways to connect patients with providers.

“The Trump Administration’s $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program gives states the resources and flexibility to bring care closer to home and build stronger, more sustainable health care systems for their rural communities. As the program enters its second year, this next round of funding will help Iowa build on the progress made in year one and continue working toward lasting improvements in access, quality, and health outcomes for rural communities.”

-Dr. Mehmet Oz, CMS Administrator

One of the biggest areas of focus is cancer prevention and treatment. The program is now designed to improve access to screenings for several types of cancer, including: lung, breast, colorectal, skin, and prostate cancer. Program preventative measures include:

• payment for mammograms and follow-up breast MRIs
• providing colorectal cancer screening tests and follow-up colonoscopies, and
• expanding access to skin cancer services
• plans to address lung cancer through radon testing and mitigation

Another part of the effort focuses on bringing more health care services directly into rural communities. This model let's health care providers work together and share resources. Instead of every small community having to provide every type of medical service on its own, providers can connect with larger health care hubs for additional services and necessary specialized care.

“Year 2 is about building on the foundation we’ve established and continuing to turn this investment into meaningful results for rural communities. We’re focused on working with health care providers and community partners to strengthen services, support the rural workforce, and ensure these investments deliver lasting benefits for Iowans.”

-Larry Johnson, Iowa HHS Principal Deputy Director

The program also includes mobile health care services; which means bringing medical services directly to people in their homes or at convenient locations in their communities. There's also funding for technology to help transport high-risk mothers and newborns to facilities equipped to provide higher levels of care.

Improving communication between medical providers is another priority. The state wants patient records to be more accessible across Iowa, making it easier for doctors and other health care professionals to coordinate treatment when patients receive care from different providers.

“Expanding access to care requires more than funding alone. It means strengthening the workforce, supporting clinical services, and connecting rural providers with the resources and technology they need to deliver high‑quality care. Continued investment through Healthy Hometowns will help rural communities build sustainable care systems and improve access to both primary and specialty services.”

-Dr. Robert Kruse, Iowa HHS State Medical Director

Healthy Hometowns is part of a five-year federal program that could provide Iowa with as much as $1 billion if fully awarded. For those interested, a public dashboard is available to track where the money is going, which projects are receiving funding, and what results those investments are producing.

For rural Iowans, the goal is improved access to everything from routine screenings and primary care to emergency services and specialized treatment; all while helping local health care systems remain sustainable for the long term.