Gov. Tate Reeves announced the establishment of the Mississippi Rural Health Transformation Program Office and the launch of an official program website, the governor’s office said. The office will be housed within the Office of the Governor and serve as the central hub for coordinating implementation of the state’s approved plan, the release said.
The governor’s office said the plan was developed through extensive engagement with stakeholders across the state, including the Mississippi State Department of Health, the Mississippi State Department of Mental Health, Medicaid, health care providers, public health officials, community leaders, federally qualified health centers, health plans, legislators and residents of rural communities. The release said the plan includes a statewide rural health assessment and targeted initiatives for care coordination, workforce development, a statewide health information exchange, telehealth expansion and infrastructure improvements.
Gov. Reeves said the office and website put structure and transparency in place to deliver long-term improvements for rural communities, the release said. The governor’s office added that all program funds are subject to federal procurement, monitoring and audit requirements under 2 CFR Part 200 and to oversight and approval by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
The state named Richard Grimes as project director of the Rural Health Transformation Program, the release said. The governor’s office described Grimes as a certified public accountant with experience guiding complex health care initiatives and helping organizations navigate financial and operational challenges while focusing on long-term sustainability.
The governor’s office said the project is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as part of a financial assistance award totaling $205,990,180.16, with 99.96% funded by CMS/HHS ($205,907,220.16) and 0.04% funded by non-government sources ($82,960). The release included a disclaimer that the contents do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CMS/HHS or the U.S. government. More information is available at www.MississippiRHTP.com, the release said.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
