LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky and Indiana are getting a major boost from the federal government to address critical health care challenges in rural communities across both states.

Both states were awarded funding as part of the Rural Health Transformation plan, which will provide $50 billion nationwide between 2026-2030.

Kentucky to focus on 5 integrated care innovation models

Kentucky secured $212.9 million after President Donald Trump's administration accepted the state's Rural Health Transformation Plan in full. 

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said his administration worked with state health care leaders to come up with the plan.

The funding will be distributed over five years to help offset recent federal cuts and address "unique challenges" in rural Kentucky when it comes to health care.

Kentucky faces significant disparities in health care compared to national averages, with 17% of Kentuckians living with multiple chronic conditions compared to 11% nationally.

Nearly 1 in 6 women of childbearing age in the state live in maternity care deserts, which is more than four times the national average.

Rural areas also experience ongoing shortages of mental health professionals, which puts a strain on emergency departments and first responders.

There are also challenges with oral health care, with Appalachian counties having some of the lowest dental visit rates and highest rates of complete tooth loss among seniors, Beshear's office said. 

The state will focus its plan on five integrated care innovation models, outlined below from the governor's office:

  • Rural community hubs for chronic care innovation: Focused initially on obesity and diabetes prevention and management, integrating nutrition, physical activity and digital self-management tools.
  • PoWERing maternal and infant health: Telehealth-enabled, community-based maternal care teams expanding prenatal and postpartum services in maternity care deserts and high-risk regions.
  • Rapid response to recovery (EmPATH Model): Mobile crisis response, telepsychiatry and stabilization services connecting individuals to community-based behavioral health and recovery supports.
  • Rooted in health — Rural dental access: Expanded dental hygiene training, externships and portable or tele-dental clinics to improve preventive oral health services.
  • Crisis to care — Integrated EMS response: Enhanced pre-hospital care and trauma coordination through treat-in-place protocols, workforce training and improved data connectivity.

To read more about Kentucky's Rural Health Transformation plan, click here.

Indiana to launch GROW plan

The Hoosier state was awarded nearly $207 million to improve health outcomes in rural communities. 

Gov. Mike Braun's office said the funding will support the state's five-year Growing Rural Opportunities for Well-being (GROW): Cultivating Rural Health initiative, "designed to enhance health care access and data, quality, and outcomes through system innovation and collaboration."

"Indiana's rural communities are the backbone of our state, and this investment will help ensure that every Hoosier, regardless of where they live, has access to high-quality, sustainable health care," Braun said in a news release. "Through GROW, we are building a healthier, stronger Indiana."

The GROW initiative has five key goals to transform rural health care in Indiana, as outlined below from Braun's office:

  • Make Rural Indiana Healthy Again: Focus on rural health innovations and new access points to promote preventative care and address chronic disease prevention through projects using evidence-based, outcome-driven interventions to improve disease prevention, chronic disease management, behavioral health and prenatal care.
  • Provide sustainable access: Strengthen the long-term sustainability of rural clinicians and facilities by improving efficiency and collaboration by helping rural providers coordinate operations, technology, and services with regional systems to expand access to primary, specialty and emergency care.
  • Improve the rural health workforce: Attract and retain skilled health care professionals by enhancing recruitment and retention strategies by providing resources to rural clinicians and expand the health care team with community health workers, behavioral health specialists and other professionals trained to support patients in navigating the health care system.
  • Implement new ways to provide care: Encourage innovative service models, including for prenatal care, and payment mechanisms that improve outcomes, coordinate care and reduce costs.
  • Leverage technology: Expand the use of digital health tools and technologies to improve care delivery and data sharing through projects that will enhance access to remote care, strengthen data systems and invest in emerging technologies that support rural health care providers and patients.

The funding was awarded based on the state's rural metrics, proposals to enhance quality of care and initiatives outlined in the state's application. 

Indiana's Family and Social Services Administration and the Indiana Department of Health will implement the GROW program.

Braun's office said the initiative "represents a comprehensive effort to strengthen rural health care systems by promoting innovation, building strategic partnerships, developing infrastructure, and investing in the health care workforce."

To read more about the GROW initiative, click here to read the application.

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