Governor Reeves Unveils Mississippi's Rural Health Transformation Program Plan

Governor Tate Reeves today announced the state of

Mississippi has submitted its Rural Health Transformation Program Plan to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Mississippi’s plan, which was developed with broad input from key stakeholders across the state, is focused on improving healthcare and patient outcomes for

Mississippians, strengthening the state’s rural health workforce, and ensuring sustainable access to care for those who need it most. When fully implemented, the goal of the plan is to ensure that by 2031, every rural

Mississippian will have reliable access to highquality healthcare services, both in-person and through telehealth, supporting increased access points and healthier communities across the state. “

The Rural Health Transformation Program is a once-in-ageneration opportunity to make a lasting impact on the health of our rural communities,” said

Governor Tate Reeves. “While

Mississippi has long faced challenges in delivering access to quality healthcare in rural areas, our plan is designed to address those challenges headon. We are ready to implement our plan with accountability, transparency, and results-driven oversight.”

The Office of the Governor will lead the oversight and coordination of the Program.

It will work closely with the

Mississippi Department of Health, which houses the State Office of Rural Health, and the

Mississippi Division of Medicaid, a division of the Office of the Governor.

Mississippi’s plan is broken into six initiatives and designed to benefit residents across the state. The six initiatives are:

Statewide Rural Health Assessment:

Mississippi will engage a third-party to conduct a comprehensive statewide assessment of rural healthcare needs, both today and looking forward ten years.

The Coordinated Regional

Integrated Systems

Initiative: This initiative is designed to transform rural healthcare delivery across the state by creating a connected, data-driven network of emergency, clinical and communitybased services.

The Workforce Expansion

Initiative: This initiative is designed to strengthen the healthcare workforce in rural areas, improving access, continuity, and quality of care. Through targeted programs, the initiative addresses recruitment, retention, training, and career pathway development for all healthcare professionals.

The Health Technology Advancement and Modernization

Initiative: This initiative is designed to modernize rural healthcare systems by strengthening the digital backbone that supports high-quality, coordinated, and secure care.

The Telehealth Adoption and Provider Support

Initiative: This initiative is designed to strengthen rural healthcare by increasing virtual care access, supporting providers in adopting telehealth, and exploring innovative payment models.

Investments will enhance connectivity, technology, and diagnostic tools to enable realtime remote care.

The Building Rural

Infrastructure for Delivery, Growth and Efficiency

Initiative: This initiative is designed to strengthen rural healthcare infrastructure by improving access to specialized care, closing care gaps, and supporting innovative pilot programs that enhance healthcare delivery and improve outcomes. The initiative focuses on building physical, operational, and programmatic capacity to address unmet needs, improve care coordination and foster sustainable rural healthcare systems. “

I’d like to thank President Trump, Secretary Kennedy, and Administrator Oz for the opportunity to submit this plan,” said

Governor Tate Reeves. “We are excited to make meaningful and lasting change in the delivery of healthcare throughout

Mississippi.

I know that together, our plan will make a positive impact on the lives of

Mississippians in rural communities across our state.” Page A6 Thursday, November 6, 2025 MAGNOL

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