Mississippi creates Rural Health Transformation Program Office

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves announced Wednesday the creation of a Rural Health Transformation Program Office to coordinate the state’s rural health transformation plan, Reeves’ office said.

The office will act as a hub for aligning state agencies and ensuring accountability, Reeves’ office said. Reeves named Richard Grimes as the office’s project manager.

The announcement described Grimes as a certified public accountant with experience in health care guidance and financial navigation, and said the office will launch a website to keep residents informed about funding opportunities and progress.

“This is a massive step forward for health care in Mississippi,” Reeves said in the announcement. “By establishing a dedicated office and launching this website, we are putting the structure and transparency in place to deliver real, lasting improvements for our rural communities.”

The announcement said the plan will be funded by monies provided under the Trump administration and was developed with assistance from the Mississippi State Department of Mental Health, the State Department of Health, the Division of Medicaid, health care providers and local leaders. The program is expected to assess rural infrastructure, address workforce development, create a statewide health care exchange, expand telehealth and support health care professionals, the announcement said.

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