RHTP Funds To Help Expand Mobile Medical Services In Rural Missouri

The Missouri Department of Social Services through the Rural Health Transformation Program announced a partnership with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services' Office of Rural Health and Primary Care and the Missouri Emergency Medical Services Association to expand Mobile Integrated Healthcare and Community Paramedicine (MIH-CP) services across rural Missouri.

Supported by approximately $6.5 million in funding through July 31, 2027, the initiative aims to improve access to care in underserved communities by integrating EMS providers more closely with hospitals, primary care providers, behavioral health organizations and other community partners.

MIH-CP programs extend the role of paramedics beyond emergency response to provide preventive and coordinated care in community settings. Services may include chronic disease management, care coordination, post-discharge follow-up and connections to social services, helping reduce avoidable emergency department visits and improve patient outcomes.

Currently, more than 30% of Missouri's rural communities have access to MIH-CP services. The partnership is expected to expand that reach and significantly strengthen rural health care delivery networks.

About the Rural Health Transformation Program

The Rural Health Transformation Program, created under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), is a landmark federal initiative to strengthen rural Americans' health care access and outcomes through sustainability and innovation. Beginning in 2026, the program provides $50 billion over five years, divided equally between state-distributed funds and competitive grants to states awarded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Missouri's state-led initiative, known as Transformation of Rural Community Health (ToRCH) Care and coordinated by the MO HealthNet Division within the Missouri Department of Social Services, received a $216 million award from CMS for the first year of the program. ToRCH Care is expected to build local partnerships, expand care coordination and build capacity through a “community hub” model. Rural hospitals, clinics and provider networks are expected to be the primary recipients of these funds. These investments are especially critical as hospitals face future reductions in Medicaid state-directed payments and provider tax matching rates, which disproportionately impact rural hospitals. Members can stay up to date on ToRCH Care and other Rural Health Transformation Program news, funding opportunities and resources on MHA’s Rural Health Transformation Program webpage.