Federal initiative for rural health targets maternal care and telehealth in Indiana INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Trump administration on Thursday announced a $120 million federal investment to expand maternal and infant health services, increase primary care access, and grow the health care workf orce in rural Indiana. Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said during an interview on News 8 “Midday” that the funding is part of a larger Rural Health Transformation Fund. While the initial investment is $120 million, Indiana expects to receive $207 million every year for the next five years. The investment aims to improve health outcomes in rural areas, where residents typically have a life expectancy nearly three years shorter than those in urban areas. About 2 million people live in rural Indiana, compared to 5 million in urban centers. The Rural Health Transformation Fund, established by the Working Families Tax Cuts Act signed in July 2025, represents the largest investment in rural health care in U.S. history. Officials said the fund provides 50% more money this year than ever before. Focusing on maternal and infant care A significant portion of the funds will address maternal and infant health, specifically for Black mothers who face disproportionately high mortality rates. Oz said the program will “meet moms where they are” by using digital tools and mobile medical services. The plan encourages large academic hospitals to “adopt” smaller rural clinics. This allows specialized doctors to share expertise, teach nurses better screening methods, and catch health problems before they happen. “Most catastrophes with maternal care happen because we didn’t know in time,” Oz said. “A stitch in time saves nine.” Modernizing rural infrastructure The investment also supports telemedicine and mobile dental services. In other states, including Alabama, remote ultrasounds allow doctors to check on pregnant women in counties without a single obstetrician. Indiana officials plan to implement similar technology to prevent medical emergencies. Additionally, all rural clinics will join a single health information system to share best practices and data. Nutrition and insurance Oz highlighted a state waiver for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that requires food stamps to be used for healthy food as a preventive health measure. The Trump administration is also promoting a program that gives tax credits to small companies. These credits help businesses move employees into the Affordable Care Act exchanges. Oz visited Hancock Health to highlight the program, noting that companies save 20% on insurance costs while employees pay 60% less out of pocket. Vaccines and parental choice Addressing low vaccination rates in rural counties, Oz emphasized the importance of preventive care while advocating for parental involvement. “We want to hear the mom’s voices,” Oz said. He noted that while vaccines like the one for measles are effective, some parents want the flexibility to delay certain shots, such as hepatitis B. He said the administration is working on tools to educate parents while providing flexibility. This story was updated from its initial post with information from the interview with Oz. ...read more read less