{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://feenstra.house.gov/media/press-releases/feenstra-iowa-delegation-urges-cms-approve-iowas-rural-health-transformation", "Feenstra, Iowa Delegation Urges CMS to Approve Iowa\u2019s Rural Health Transformation Application", "2025-11-21", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "IA", "Randy Feenstra", "F000446", "feenstra.house.gov", "feenstra", "https://feenstra.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Yesterday, on National Rural Health Day, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) joined the Iowa congressional delegation in sending a letter to CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz in strong support of Iowa\u2019s application for the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program.\n\n\u201cEarlier this year, President Trump and Republicans passed the largest investment in rural healthcare in U.S. history. We delivered $50 billion for rural hospitals and rural health, ensuring that our families, veterans, and seniors can get the high-quality care they need when they need it,\u201d said Rep. Feenstra. \u201cThe Rural Health Transformation Program will support Iowa\u2019s Healthy Hometowns initiative to invest in rapid emergency response, help recruit and retain physicians, prevent and treat cancer, and support patients. I\u2019m glad to join my colleagues in supporting Iowa\u2019s application for these funds, and I\u2019ll keep working to make high-quality healthcare more affordable and more accessible for all Iowans.\u201d\n\nThe RHT Program represents the largest investment in rural health transformation in American history, aimed at increasing access, driving innovation, and strengthening care delivery in underserved communities. Of the $50 billion allocated for the program, $25 billion automatically gets divided evenly amongst all 50 states. The second $25 billion, which Iowa has submitted its application for, is more competitive and funds will be allocated based on overall need.\n\nThe delegation letter highlights how Iowa\u2019s proposal, Healthy Hometowns, directly aligns with CMS\u2019s strategic priorities and delivers a comprehensive approach to improving care across rural communities. The initiative includes:\n\nHometown Connections: Expanding Centers of Excellence, Health Hubs, telehealth capacity, and services for uninsured Iowans.\n\nBest and Brightest: Recruiting and retaining high-quality health professionals in rural communities.\n\nCombat Cancer \u2013 Prevent and Treat: Creating cancer care hubs, increasing screenings, and supporting research and families.\n\nCommunities of Care: Co-locating providers to coordinate multidisciplinary care with community health workers.\n\nHealth Information Exchange: Ensuring seamless statewide access to medical records for continuity of care.\n\nEMS Community Care Mobile: Delivering mobile health services and high-risk transport support directly to rural residents.\n\nYou can read the full letter HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://feenstra.house.gov/media/press-releases/feenstra-iowa-delegation-urges-cms-approve-iowas-rural-health-transformation"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.7147399485111237, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}