FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 9, 2026

Contact: CMS Media Relations
(202) 690-6145 | CMS Media Inquiries

Trump Administration Announces $209 Million to Expand Advanced Medical Care, Maternal Telehealth, and Cancer Prevention Across Rural Iowa

This federal investment will bring advanced surgical capabilities to rural hospitals, connect patients with maternal specialists through telehealth, and modernize health information sharing across Iowa

Today, the Trump Administration announced more than $209 million in Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding being put to work to strengthen healthcare delivery across rural Iowa through the state’s Healthy Hometowns initiative. This investment will support expanded clinical and maternal health services, rural workforce development, cancer prevention and screening, EMS and mobile health, and technology and infrastructure modernization across Iowa. Iowa has committed its full $209 million in funding to improving healthcare in rural communities across the state.

This transformational investment will equip rural hospitals with modern technology, including robotic-assisted orthopedic surgery capabilities, and expand specialty care through Iowa’s first Maternal-Fetal Medicine Telehealth Network. Early implementation has already included seven major medical equipment installations supporting 44 advanced procedures. Funding is also expanding the rural healthcare workforce, cancer prevention and screening, EMS technology, and health information exchange tools connecting more than 100 facilities across Iowa.

The Rural Health Transformation Program is expanding access to quality healthcare, regardless of a patient’s zip code, and equipping first responders with the lifesaving resources they need when every second counts. This funding will make critical investments to strengthen rural healthcare, expand access to lifesaving services, and bring modern technology to communities across Iowa.

“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 Iowa,” 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.

“Republicans delivered the largest rural healthcare investment in American history as part of our historic Working Families Tax Cuts law. As I travel to hospitals and clinics across Iowa during my 99 county meetings, I’ve seen firsthand how the Rural Health Transformation Program is improving Iowans’ access to life-saving care. Under Iowa’s Republican leadership, our state has led the nation in getting this money into communities to help fight cancer, boost maternal health services and so much more. I look forward to seeing more communities benefit from this funding soon,” Sen. Chuck Grassley said.

“Rural Iowa deserves access to high-quality health care close to home,” said Sen. Joni Ernst. “Made possible by the Working Families Tax Cuts, this critical investment will strengthen rural hospitals and clinics, expand maternal and preventive care, support our health care workforce, and modernize the infrastructure Iowans rely on. The Healthy Hometowns initiative is a significant step toward ensuring rural Iowans can get the care they need, when and where they need it.”

“I practiced medicine in Southeast Iowa for 30 years. I’ve held the hands of patients who had nowhere close to home to turn for care, and I never forgot it,” said Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks. “The $209 million Iowa is receiving through the Rural Health Transformation Program and Healthy Hometowns is a lifeline for our rural communities. We’re seeing that impact right here in my district, from advanced cancer and cardiac imaging at Mahaska Health in Oskaloosa to a new CT scanner at Washington County Hospital. I’m proud to have helped deliver these resources to Iowa and will never stop fighting for our rural communities.”

“Too many Iowans still have to travel too far or struggle to get the quality care they need. There’s a lot more work to do — but the Rural Health Transformation Program’s federal investments are starting to make a difference by helping recruit providers, bring critical screening technology to underserved communities, and expand access to cancer care. I’m grateful to see these investments are improving access to care across the state, and I’ll continue working to bring as many investments and results back to our rural communities as possible,” said Rep. Ashley Hinson.

“Where you live shouldn’t determine whether you can get the health care you need,” said Rep. Zachary Nunn. “That’s why we fought to bring $209 million back to Iowa to strengthen rural health care. In Wayne County, that means a patient fighting cancer can get treatment close to home instead of spending hours on the road — near the family and neighbors helping them through it. That’s the difference these investments can make. Rural hospitals have been asking for this support for years, and now they’re putting it to work for their patients. I’m urging CMS to keep that progress going for Iowa’s rural communities next year.”

“As a former volunteer EMT in my hometown of Hull for 15 years, I know how vital the $209 million of investments from the Rural Health Transformation Program will be for rural healthcare in Iowa this year,” said Rep. Randy Feenstra. “Iowa’s Healthy Hometowns initiative is creating cancer care hubs, recruiting more health professionals, supporting maternal health, and improving delivery of emergency health services. Congress passed the largest investment in rural health transformation in American history so that our rural communities can have confidence that they have the highest quality of care available.”

Today’s announcement highlights the overall funding amount awarded to Iowa for fiscal year 2026.

Key initiatives the overall RHTP funding will focus on include: 

• Building the rural healthcare workforce: Supporting recruitment, training, and retention strategies to strengthen the pipeline of healthcare professionals serving rural communities.
  
  
• Strengthening rural facilities and access: Supporting partnerships, operational improvements, and care-delivery changes that help rural providers maintain essential services and improve access.
  
  
• Advancing innovative care and payment models: Supporting new approaches to delivery and financing designed to improve quality, strengthen primary care, and support sustainable rural healthcare.
  
  
• Expanding community-based and preventive care: Investing in school-based care, mobile services, and other community strategies that improve prevention, address chronic disease, and expand access to care.
  
  
• Modernizing rural healthcare technology: Expanding remote care and data-driven tools to improve coordination and extend healthcare services to rural communities.

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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