St. Joseph News-Press
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — More than $45 million in federal funding will go toward rural hospital improvements, behavioral and maternal health services and emergency medical workforce development across Missouri, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Tuesday.
The funding comes through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program and includes approximately $35 million for 20 rural hospital projects across the state. The projects will include facility and building system improvements, new diagnostic equipment and renovations to critical care and treatment areas.
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Up to $6.4 million will be used to connect rural health care providers with behavioral health and perinatal specialists. CMS said the program is intended to provide services including rapid psychiatric consultations for children and families, referrals, provider training and additional support for pregnant and postpartum patients.
Another $4.2 million will support Missouri’s rural emergency medical services workforce. CMS said 437 people have been selected to begin funded EMT and paramedic training, while rural agencies will receive incentives aimed at hiring and retaining certified personnel.
The latest funding follows more than $7 million previously announced for rural maternal health workforce development, doula training and certification, mobile health care and community paramedicine services in Missouri.
Gov. Mike Kehoe said the funding could help address differences in access to health care between rural and more populated areas.
“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,” Kehoe said. “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.”
The Rural Health Transformation Program was created as part of a broader federal law that also changes Medicaid spending and financing. KFF, a nonprofit, nonpartisan health policy research organization formerly known as the Kaiser Family Foundation, estimates federal Medicaid spending in rural areas will decline by about $137 billion over 10 years. The Rural Health Transformation Program provides $50 billion nationwide over five years. KFF has said the new funding could help offset some of the effects of those Medicaid changes but is not designed to fully replace lost Medicaid revenue.
The transformation funding generally is aimed at infrastructure, workforce development, technology, care coordination and new models of providing health care rather than replacing hospitals’ ongoing operating revenue.
U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, whose 6th Congressional District includes much of northwest and north Missouri, said rural hospitals and emergency services are particularly important for communities in the region.
“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,” Graves said.
CMS said Tuesday’s $45 million announcement represents one portion of Missouri’s overall fiscal 2026 Rural Health Transformation Program funding.
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