Gov. Kim Reynolds has announced an additional $1.5 million in funding from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to improve rural Iowans’ access to maternity care. Two years ago, Reynolds launched the pilot program, Centers of Excellence, with St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll and the Grinnell Regional Medical Center being the first to participate in the program. Reynolds traveled to Carroll yesterday (Thursday) to highlight St. Anthony’s outstanding quality of care for new and expecting mothers and pointed to their success as an example of the program’s potential.
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During the announcement, Reynolds emphasized the crucial role of Centers of Excellence in delivering coordinated care systems. This model ensures that primary care is provided locally, while regional hubs extend specialized services to surrounding counties, effectively meeting the healthcare needs of the community. As specialty clinics at rural health care facilities close at an alarming rate throughout the state, Reynolds says Centers of Excellence help maintain these services in rural Iowa.
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Reynolds says establishing comprehensive access to quality healthcare services is vital to promoting and maintaining overall health, disease prevention and management, and achieving healthy outcomes for all Iowans. HHS anticipates that up to $1.5 million will be available for two awards, with each recipient receiving $750,000 over a three-year contract period. Reynolds says selected facilities can use that funding for a multitude of purposes.
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Interested parties can find detailed information about the Request for Proposals (RFP) requirements on the Iowa HHS website. Priority will be given to applications that propose to serve a significant number of rural residents within their service regions.