US EditionBill Aims to Ease Access to Medical Care for Rural Veterans
- On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds enacted House File 972 into law during a signing event held at a rural health care facility in Guthrie Center, aiming to enhance access to medical services in Iowa’s rural communities.
- The law responds to Iowa's severe health care workforce shortage, ranked 44th nationally in patient-to-physician ratio, and aims to expand medical residency slots and rural provider support.
- House File 972 increases training capacity by creating approximately 115 new residency positions, consolidates student loan repayment programs, and adjusts Medicaid payments to enhance maternal care reimbursement.
- Reynolds noted that Iowa ranks 40th in the availability of residency positions and explained that the program accepts providers trained outside the state who commit to working in high-need areas, while the leader of Guthrie County Hospital pointed out that workforce shortages have intensified since the pandemic.
- This legislation seeks to support rural hospitals by enhancing workforce recruitment and retention, expanding patient care availability, and ultimately improving health outcomes throughout the state.
23 Articles
23 Articles
Bill aims to ease access to medical care for rural veterans
A bill led by Republican lawmakers has been introduced in the Senate to make it easier for veterans in rural towns to get health coverage from the Department of Veterans Affairs for medical care at a local hospital or clinic close to home.
Ottumwa Courier
Gov. Kim Reynolds signs into law rural health care, medical residency expansion proposal
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law Wednesday her legislative proposal to increase physician training options and rural health care accessibility, a step she said will help ease burdens on rural hospitals and increase patients’ health outcomes across the state.
Reynolds signs plan designed to address Iowa's shortage of healthcare workers - Radio Iowa
Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a bill into law that’s meant to address Iowa’s shortage of doctors and other healthcare workers. It uses federal money to expand medical residency programs at Iowa’s 14 teaching hospitals and create new residency slots in some specialties. “Doctors often decide to practice where they do their residency, but today […]
Gov. Kim Reynolds signs into law rural health care, medical residency expansion proposal • Iowa Capital Dispatch
Gov. Kim Reynolds signed two healthcare bills into law at the Guthrie County Hospital in Guthrie Center May 28, 2025, including her proposal to increase rural health care accessibility. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law Wednesday her legislative proposal to increase physician training options and rural health care accessibility, a step she said will help ease burdens on rural hospitals and increa…
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