ICYMI: Grassley Op-Ed: Republicans’ Rural Health Transformation Fund Is Improving Access to Care in Iowa

ICYMI: Grassley Op-Ed: Republicans' Rural Health Transformation Fund Is Improving Access to Care in Iowa

"During my 99 county meetings this year, I've heard good news from healthcare professionals who are putting this money to work for their patients."

Republicans' Rural Health Transformation Fund Is Improving Access to Care in Iowa

By Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa)

May 7, 2026

The Gazette

I'm one of hundreds of thousands of rural Iowans who lives off a gravel road and am proud to call farm country home. Over one third of our state is considered rural. Yet too often, it's difficult for rural Iowans to access the healthcare they need, close to where they live. Republicans are working to change that.

Republicans' Working Families Tax Cuts Act, which President Trump signed on July 4 last year, not only put money back in people's pockets to help them provide for their families, it delivered historic funding to expand access to care in rural communities and improve health outcomes.

It's called the Rural Health Transformation Fund, and it's the largest investment in rural health in U.S. history. Astoundingly, not a single Democrat in Congress voted to support this funding.

Here in Iowa, the Rural Health Transformation Fund is already making a difference and keeping care closer to home.

Under Gov. Kim Reynolds' leadership, Iowa was the first state in the nation to begin awarding its federal funding. As a result, Iowans in Marshalltown looking for heart and cancer care soon won't have to travel to Waterloo or Des Moines for treatment. The Marshalltown Hospital is recruiting two new specialists in cardiology and oncology so area residents can get local treatment that's close to their loved ones, who provide a valuable support network.

In Anamosa, Jones Regional Medical Center is buying a new surgical robot with this money, expanding options for cancer patients and bringing more surgeons to the region. In Onawa, Burgess Health Center is purchasing a new, advanced mammography system that will help detect breast cancer sooner and save Iowans' lives.

In Chariton, I met with Iowans who told me they'll have access to an MRI machine at the Lucas County Health Center for the first time. And, during my meeting at the Pella Regional Health Center, I learned they're leveraging the Rural Health Transformation Fund to purchase a machine to improve local cancer care. Iowans near Mason City will have access to a new Robotic Bronchoscopy system that detects lung cancer sooner, giving Iowans more years with family and friends.

The good news doesn't stop there.

Over the next five years, Iowa will receive, at a minimum, $100 million annually from the fund. Our state already received over twice that much this year alone: $209 million.

Because of this federal investment, young mothers needing prenatal care will be able to access clinics and telemedicine in up to five different locations in rural Iowa from the Des Moines Center of Excellence in Maternal Fetal Medicine.

A grandfather in Jasper County who's fighting cancer can get advanced procedures and high-quality scans at the Newton Medical Center now that its decades old equipment is being replaced.

Iowans will also have access to more healthcare professionals, like family medicine physicians and nurses, because of this federal investment.

As a senior member and former chairman of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, I'm constantly advocating for rural healthcare on behalf of Iowans. That's why I helped lead the charge to get the Rural Health Transformation Fund passed into law, and I'll be following it closely to ensure Iowa receives the support it deserves.

I applaud Gov. Reynolds for her work to identify needs across our state that qualify for these federal grants, such as combating cancer, improving access to emergency care and recruiting top-tier healthcare professionals.

During my 99 county meetings this year, I've heard story after story from healthcare professionals who are putting this money to work for their patients. More Iowa communities will benefit from the Rural Health Transformation Fund in the years ahead.

Chuck Grassley is the senior U.S. senator from Iowa.

-30-

• Print
• Email
• Like
• Tweet