Reeves unveils Mississippi’s rural health transformation plan, submits to CMS

JACKSON, Miss. — Gov. Tate Reeves announced Tuesday that Mississippi has submitted its Rural Health Transformation Program Plan to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

The comprehensive plan focuses on improving patient outcomes, strengthening the state’s rural health workforce, and ensuring sustainable healthcare access for residents. When fully implemented, the plan’s stated goal is to ensure that by 2031, every rural Mississippian will have reliable access to high-quality healthcare services, both in-person and through telehealth.

“The Rural Health Transformation Program is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make a lasting impact on the health of our rural communities,” Reeves said in a statement. “While Mississippi has long faced challenges in delivering access to quality healthcare in rural areas, our plan is designed to address those challenges head-on.”

Reeves added that the state is “ready to implement our plan with accountability, transparency, and results-driven oversight.”

The Office of the Governor will lead the 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.

The Six Initiatives

Mississippi’s plan is structured around six core initiatives:

• Statewide Rural Health Assessment: The state will hire a third-party to conduct a comprehensive assessment of current and future rural healthcare needs over the next 10 years.
• The Coordinated Regional Integrated Systems Initiative: This aims to create a connected, data-driven network linking emergency, clinical, and community-based services.
• The Workforce Expansion Initiative: This initiative will address workforce shortages through targeted programs for recruitment, retention, training, and career pathway development.
• The Health Technology Advancement and Modernization Initiative: This focuses on strengthening the digital infrastructure that supports coordinated and secure care.
• The Telehealth Adoption and Provider Support Initiative: This initiative will increase virtual care access by enhancing connectivity, technology, and provider support.
• The Building Rural Infrastructure for Delivery, Growth and Efficiency (BRIDGE) Initiative: This initiative is designed to improve physical and operational healthcare infrastructure to close care gaps and support specialized services.

“I’d like to thank President Trump, Secretary Kennedy, and Administrator Oz for the opportunity to submit this plan,” Reeves said. “I know that together, our plan will make a positive impact on the lives of Mississippians in rural communities across our state.”