Indiana is now accepting applications for regional grants to improve health in the state’s rural communities.
The Growing Rural Opportunities for Well-being grant program was allotted $120 million in its initial year.
Indiana was awarded a total of $207 million for the first in a five-year rural health package. The rest of the money will support 11 other statewide initiatives run by the Indiana Department of Health, as well as the Family and Social Services Administration.
“This is a tremendous opportunity in rural areas of the state to improve health outcomes, including infant mortality and chronic disease prevention,” said State Health Commissioner and Dr. Lindsay Weaver in a Tuesday news release.
“Through this program, we’re pushing for progress that will directly improve life for rural Hoosiers,” she said.
The funding comes out of a $50 billion federal Rural Health Transformation Program, intended to address concerns that Medicaid cuts would accelerate rural hospital closures.
Congress created the program in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which is also projected to reduce federal Medicaid spending by $911 billion over 10 years, according to KFF.
In Indiana, eight coalitions — one for each region — must submit a letter of intent by May 1, with the application due by July 1. First-year grant agreements would start in the fall.
They’d get help from regional advisory committees, each with a state lawmaker and patient, plus representatives from a local health department, rural hospital, pharmacy and more.
“Rural communities know their needs best and are well-positioned to implement effective local solutions,” the release says. Grants will support what’s “developed at the local level.”
State goals include better access to prenatal care, oral health care, chronic disease prevention and transportation. Indiana also aims to expand the health workforce and promote telehealth to cut down on preventable emergency room visits.
Non-rural counties aren’t eligible for direct funding.