Indianapolis, Indiana – Indiana is taking a major step toward improving healthcare in its rural communities with the announcement of a nearly $207 million federal grant to launch GROW: Cultivating Rural Health. The funding, awarded as part of the first year of the five-year Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), will support a comprehensive initiative designed to enhance access, quality, and outcomes in rural healthcare across the state. The grant surpasses the $200 million requested by the state in its application and reflects the federal government’s confidence in Indiana’s strategy for rural health improvement.
“Indiana’s rural communities are the backbone of our state, and this investment will help ensure that every Hoosier, regardless of where they live, has access to high-quality, sustainable healthcare,” Gov. Mike Braun said. “Through GROW, we are building a healthier, stronger Indiana.”
The initiative, coordinated by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) and the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH), aims to transform rural healthcare delivery through a combination of innovation, strategic partnerships, infrastructure development, and workforce investment. By blending statewide strategies with local input, GROW seeks to create a system that is both comprehensive and adaptable to the unique challenges faced by rural communities.
At the heart of GROW are five key goals designed to reshape rural healthcare: Make Rural Indiana Healthy Again, Provide Sustainable Access, Improve the Rural Health Workforce, Implement New Ways to Provide Care, and Leverage Technology. The first goal, Make Rural Indiana Healthy Again, focuses on preventive care, chronic disease management, behavioral health, and prenatal care. Projects under this umbrella will use evidence-based approaches to improve health outcomes and address longstanding disparities in rural areas.
Providing sustainable access is another critical objective. GROW aims to strengthen rural clinicians and healthcare facilities by promoting collaboration, improving operational efficiency, and integrating services with regional systems. This will expand access to primary, specialty, and emergency care while ensuring that facilities can operate effectively in the long term.
The third goal, improving the rural health workforce, addresses one of the most persistent challenges in rural healthcare: attracting and retaining qualified professionals. GROW plans to provide resources to support recruitment and retention, expand healthcare teams with community health workers and behavioral health specialists, and equip providers with the training necessary to guide patients through complex care systems.
Innovation and new care models are central to GROW’s strategy. The program encourages service models that improve outcomes, coordinate care, and reduce costs. This includes exploring alternative payment structures and expanding prenatal care access, ensuring that rural residents can benefit from flexible and patient-centered solutions.
Finally, GROW emphasizes the role of technology in enhancing rural healthcare. Digital tools will be used to improve care delivery, expand access to remote services, strengthen data systems, and support emerging technologies that assist providers and patients alike. This technological investment is designed to overcome the geographic and logistical barriers that often limit healthcare access in rural communities.
Indiana plans to implement 12 GROW initiatives aligned with RHTP goals. Eleven of these initiatives will be statewide programs, targeting systemic challenges such as workforce development, infrastructure, and operational efficiency. At the same time, the state recognizes that local communities have the best understanding of their own needs. To leverage this, a significant portion of the funding will be distributed directly to rural communities through Make Rural Indiana Healthy Again Regional Grants. These grants will empower local stakeholders to identify specific priorities and foster collaboration and resource sharing.
By combining statewide frameworks with local insights, Indiana seeks to create a holistic, adaptable approach to rural health. The state’s vision is clear: rural Hoosiers should have the same opportunities to thrive as those in urban areas. Through GROW, Indiana is laying the groundwork for a more equitable, sustainable, and innovative rural healthcare system.
With this historic investment, rural Indiana communities will see enhanced healthcare services, better access to skilled providers, and new tools to address long-standing health disparities. GROW: Cultivating Rural Health represents a decisive effort to ensure that geography no longer determines quality of care, positioning Indiana as a leader in rural health transformation for years to come.
