Mississippi secures $206 million federal boost for rural healthcare
JACKSON, Miss. – Governor Tate Reeves announced Monday that Mississippi has been awarded nearly $206 million in federal funding to overhaul the state’s rural healthcare system, a move officials say will guarantee high-quality care for all rural residents by 2031.
The $205,907,220 award comes through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Rural Health Transformation Program. The funding follows a strategic plan submitted by the state in November 2025 aimed at stabilizing the healthcare workforce and expanding telehealth capabilities.
“This is another big win for Mississippi,” Governor Reeves said. “Together, we came up with a strategy that best serves Mississippians and makes the biggest impact on healthcare in rural communities throughout the state.”
Reeves credited the federal partnership for the “once-in-a-generation opportunity,” specifically thanking the Trump administration, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz.
A Six-Pillar Strategy for Reform
The Office of the Governor will oversee the program’s implementation, coordinating with the Mississippi Department of Health and the Division of Medicaid. The plan is built on six core initiatives:
- Statewide Needs Assessment: A third-party evaluation of current and future healthcare needs over the next decade.
- Regional Integrated Systems: Creating a data-driven network to connect emergency, clinical, and community services.
- Workforce Expansion: Targeted recruitment and retention programs to bring more doctors and nurses to underserved areas.
- Technology Modernization: Upgrading the digital infrastructure to ensure secure, coordinated patient care.
- Telehealth Support: Increasing virtual care access and exploring new payment models for remote diagnostics.
- Infrastructure Growth: Building physical and operational capacity to close existing care gaps.
Looking Toward 2031
The ultimate goal of the funding is to ensure that within the next six years, every rural Mississippian has reliable access to both in-person and virtual health services. By focusing on “healthier communities and increased access points,” the administration hopes to reverse long-standing healthcare disparities in the state.
“My administration is ready to get to work with our partners to deploy this funding on behalf of the over three million people who live in our great state,” Reeves said.
