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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 12, 2026
CONTACT: Baylee.Watts@dss.mo.gov
Missouri Commits $216 Million in First-Year Rural Health Investments to Strengthen Care Across Rural Communities
First-year progress includes critical hospital investments, 27 locally led Care Hubs, and new initiatives to strengthen rural healthcare for years to come.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri has committed $216 million in first-year funding through the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), advancing a historic effort to strengthen local hospitals, expand access to care, and invest in the healthcare workforce serving rural communities. The award, the ninth largest among states, is supporting locally driven solutions designed to help more Missourians receive high-quality care close to home.
Led by the Department of Social Services' Rural Health Transformation Office, Missouri's Transformation of Rural Community Health (ToRCH) Care initiative has moved from planning to implementation, delivering targeted investments to address longstanding challenges, including hospital closures, workforce shortages, and health disparities.
Through ToRCH Care, Missouri is prioritizing long‑term, community‑driven solutions to strengthen rural healthcare. The state's focus on improving access, modernizing critical infrastructure, and supporting the healthcare workforce has guided its approach throughout the first year of implementation. These efforts reflect a broader commitment to ensuring rural Missourians can receive high‑quality care in the communities they call home.
"Every Missourian deserves access to quality care in their own community," said Governor Mike Kehoe. "These investments are helping rural providers modernize facilities, expand critical services, and strengthen the workforce that keeps Missouri families healthy. By empowering local leaders and supporting long-term solutions, we are building a stronger, more sustainable healthcare system for generations to come."
Missouri's early progress through ToRCH Care has also positioned the state for continued success. Building on the momentum of the first year, Governor Kehoe announced this week that Missouri was recently awarded approximately $218 million in second-year funding through RHTP. The continued federal investment will allow the state to expand and sustain efforts already underway, further strengthening rural hospitals, growing the healthcare workforce, enhancing behavioral health services, and improving access to care across rural communities.
"The progress we're seeing across rural Missouri demonstrates what can happen when communities are empowered to lead solutions that meet their unique healthcare needs," said DSS Director Jess Bax. "Through ToRCH Care, we've partnered with local providers, hospitals, and community leaders to make strategic investments that strengthen access to care, support the healthcare workforce, and improve health outcomes. The additional federal funding awarded for year two reflects confidence in Missouri's approach and allows us to continue building a stronger, more sustainable rural healthcare system."
Preserving and Expanding Care Close to Home
Rural hospitals across Missouri are beginning essential upgrades to protect and expand core services.
- Scotland County Hospital is making long‑needed infrastructure improvements to HVAC, roofing, and facility systems.
- Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston is expanding labor and delivery capacity and modernizing behavioral health and diagnostic facilities.
These projects help ensure fewer rural patients must travel long distances for vital care.
“These funds are truly transformational for rural hospitals like ours,” said Meagan Weaber, CEO of Scotland County Hospital. “They allow us to make critical upgrades that would otherwise be financially out of reach.”
Connecting Communities to Care
Missouri has launched 27 locally led ToRCH Care Hubs serving the state's 104 rural counties. These regional networks bring together healthcare providers, community organizations, and local leaders to strengthen referrals, identify community priorities, and improve access to services.
More than 70 care navigators are helping residents connect with primary care, behavioral health, specialty services, and social supports.
Strengthening Workforce and Technology
Missouri is also investing in the workforce and technology needed to support long-term healthcare access.
- Workforce initiatives are expanding rural clinical training opportunities, strengthening maternal health services, and supporting EMS and community-based healthcare roles.
- Investments in modernizing electronic health records, interoperability, and digital infrastructure are improving care coordination and reducing administrative burdens for providers.
Five Pillars Supporting Rural Healthcare Transformation
Missouri’s first-year investments are organized and align around five core pillars that support long-term rural healthcare transformation:
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ToRCH Care Hub Activation — $26 million supporting local planning and system improvements.
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Alternative Payment Models — $8.2 million developing value-based approaches that reward quality care.
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Digital Backbone — $61 million modernizing technology and data sharing across rural providers.
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Rural Health Workforce Programs — $31 million strengthening healthcare talent pipelines statewide.
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Provider Transformation — $42 million supporting strategic renovations and service expansions at rural hospitals.
Continuing Momentum Into 2026
Missouri is preparing an additional $55 million in funding opportunities through 2026 to support workforce retention, telehealth expansion, remote patient monitoring, mobile health units, and rural care certifications.
These investments will help ensure rural Missourians have greater access to care, stronger local healthcare services, and a more resilient healthcare system for years to come.
Building on the success of the program's first year and the recently announced second-year federal award, DSS will host webinars this month covering the Digital Backbone Provider Application process and a new $11 million funding opportunity to strengthen Missouri's rural healthcare workforce.
To learn more about Missouri’s broader rural health efforts, visit Missouri's Rural Health Transformation Program.
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The Rural Health Transformation Program information provided by the Missouri Department of Social Services is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $216,276,817.66, with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
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