Indiana is set to receive $120 million through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program to expand health care access and strengthen the health care workforce in rural communities across the state.
The funding will support projects in eight regions of Indiana aimed at improving maternal and infant health, expanding primary and behavioral health care, increasing mental health and crisis-response resources and addressing transportation barriers that can prevent people from getting medical care.
The program also will provide funding for rural health workforce recruitment, training and retention, along with efforts to prevent and manage chronic conditions including diabetes, hypertension and obesity.
Gov. Mike Braun said the investment will help Indiana build a stronger rural health care system.
“This funding is a major step forward in our commitment to making health care affordable and accessible for all Hoosiers,” Braun said. “It’s an important stride toward creating a more sustainable and connected network in rural Indiana.”
The funding also will support maternal and infant health programs, including prenatal and postpartum navigation, maternal-fetal medicine access, infant support, prenatal mental health services and a rural-focused obstetrics residency.
Other initiatives include mobile medical and dental services, expanded behavioral health access, emergency-department crisis response, coordinated transportation networks and programs providing nutritious food and nutrition counseling.
Rep. Rudy Yakym said the funding will strengthen Indiana’s rural health care workforce and improve access to care.
“Every single Democrat voted against driving $50 billion to rural communities through the Rural Health Transformation Program,” Yakym said. “President Trump and Republicans delivered anyway. And now $120 million is coming home to Indiana to strengthen our rural health workforce and bring care closer to the Hoosiers who need it.”
Rep. Marlin Stutzman said rural communities have faced staffing shortages and reductions in hospital services.
“I’m proud to have voted for the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, bringing Rural Health Transformation Program funds to Indiana,” Stutzman said. “In recent years, our hardworking rural communities have seen their local hospitals understaffed, cutting services, and even closing outright.”
Stutzman said the program’s regional grants will allow communities to direct resources toward their own specific needs.
The investment also includes food and nutrition programs, including medically tailored meals, fresh produce prescriptions and nutrition therapy delivered through telehealth.
Officials say the projects are intended to create more sustainable rural health care systems while bringing services closer to Indiana families.
