January 2026

Feds approve Missouri’s Rural Health Transformation Program Application, Missouri Physicians Should Remain a Focus

Governor Mike Kehoe announced in January that Missouri has been awarded more than $216 million in first-year funding through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). Missouri’s application ranked in the top ten nationally, and the program could ultimately deliver significant federal resources to the state over the next several years aimed at improving healthcare delivery in rural communities. CMS also has announced the creation of the Rural Health Transformation Office to oversee the CMS run program. 

There is no question that rural Missouri faces real and longstanding challenges related to access, care coordination, and health outcomes. Any serious effort to address those challenges deserves careful consideration, and we appreciate the work of the Governor in securing these funds through a competitive federal process. At the same time, it is important to be clear-eyed: Missouri is also facing substantial long-term Medicaid reductions, and there is currently very little assurance that these new dollars will be directed toward improving access to physicians, stabilizing private practices, or recruiting and retaining doctors in rural communities.

Physicians know from experience that funding labeled as “healthcare transformation” does not automatically translate into better access to physician-led care or improved quality for patients. Without deliberate physician involvement, resources too often flow toward administrative structures, institutional priorities, or short-term pilots that do not address workforce shortages or sustainability for medical practices.

The announcement does present an opportunity that warrants some optimism. The Governor and his Department of Social Services have emphasized a desire for collaboration and stakeholder engagement, and we are hopeful that state leaders will view physicians, especially those practicing in rural and underserved areas; as essential partners in shaping how these funds are used in the coming months and years ahead. Improving access to care and outcomes in rural Missouri will require policies that strengthen the physician workforce, reduce administrative burdens, and support viable medical practices, not just infrastructure or new delivery models.

We will be closely monitoring implementation of the RHTP and engaging with the Governor’s Office, DSS, and other agencies to advocate for physician-centered solutions that truly improve access and quality of care for Missourians. As this process unfolds, our focus will remain on ensuring that physicians have a seat at the table and that these federal dollars are used in ways that deliver meaningful, lasting benefits for patients and rural communities across the state.

To learn more about the states application and what CMS approved visit https://mydss.mo.gov/mhd/rural-health and https://www.cms.gov/files/document/rural-health-transformation-50-state-spotlights.pdf