Iowa’s Rural Health Priorities

Supporting Access to Essential Health Care Services in Iowa’s Rural Communities

Like rural areas across our nation, Iowa’s rural communities face growing challenges in maintaining the services residents need to care for their health. 

National studies show at least 17 of Iowa’s rural hospitals are at high risk of closing unless their financial conditions improve. 

UnityPoint Health, in partnership with other health systems across the state and the Iowa Hospital Association, is working to address these challenges head on. Through these coordinated efforts, we’ve identified several opportunities to change public polices to help address the underlying challenges faced in rural communities.

These policies are focused on:

1. Helping rural communities maintain access to 24/7 emergency services.
2. Strengthening the financial condition of rural hospitals.
3. Funding critical upgrades to medical facilities.

UnityPoint Health and other rural health care providers across Iowa are counting on providers, patients and community members to contact members of Congress and express their support of our state’s rural health priorities.

By lending your voice in support of these policy priorities, you can help us turn the tide on rural health care in Iowa and across the country and ensure our rural communities continue to have options close to home.

Advocacy Tools and Resources

Rural Health Advocacy Toolkit