Grassley, Iowa Congressional Delegation Advocate for More Rural Healthcare Funding to Iowa

Grassley, Iowa Congressional Delegation Advocate for More Rural Healthcare Funding to Iowa

Republicans' Working Families Tax Cuts law has already invested $209 million to strengthen rural healthcare across Iowa

Click HERE for audio.

BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA - U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) led the entire Iowa congressional delegation in a letter urging Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz to support Iowa's latest funding request for the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), known as Healthy Hometowns. The RHTP was created in Republicans' Working Families Tax Cuts law and, in just its first year, has already invested $209 million in rural communities across Iowa to strengthen access to care.

In addition to Grassley, the letter was signed by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and U.S. Reps. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Zach Nunn (R-Iowa) and Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa).

"In January, Iowa became the first state in the nation to award Rural Health Transformation Program funding as part of its Healthy Hometowns initiative, and it has ensured resources are going directly to rural communities, not bureaucrats. In year one of the program, Iowa's $209 million federal investment is improving cancer prevention and treatment, workforce recruitment and retention, chronic disease care, and maternal and child health," the members wrote.

"As we each travel throughout Iowa, visiting hospitals, health centers, clinics, and more, we witness firsthand how these investments are making a difference toward the health, well-being, and quality of life in rural communities. During your visit to the University of Iowa in May, you learned how our state is using telehealth and a hub-and-spoke model to increase access to care and improve health outcomes in our rural communities," the members continued.

The members noted how communities across Iowa are already benefiting from these federal investments, including through the following six projects:

• Lucas County Health Center in Chariton is purchasing its first-ever MRI machine to bring early detection cancer screenings to residents.
• Mahaska Health in Oskaloosa is purchasing a new PET/CT system with cardiac imaging capability and recruiting an OB/GYN and a general surgeon physician assistant.
• North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City is purchasing a new robotic bronchoscopy system that detects lung cancer earlier than previously possible.
• Sioux Center Health in Sioux Center is expanding prenatal care through a new regional maternal health coordinator.
• Washington County Hospital in Washington is purchasing a new CT scanner that is improving diagnostic capabilities and patient outcomes.
• Wayne County Hospital in Corydon is standing up a radiation oncology center and will be serving as a combat cancer health hub.

Click HERE for audio of Grassley discussing the letter.

Click HERE to read the letter.

Background:

The Rural Health Transformation Program is the largest investment in rural healthcare in American history, focused on increasing access to care, driving innovation and expanding the healthcare workforce. Over a period of five years, Iowa will receive, at a minimum, $100 million annually from this fund.

-30-

• Print
• Email
• Like
• Tweet