Healthy Hometowns: Mobile Integrated Health Program

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, has issued Request for Proposal PHTHOET27001 under the Healthy Hometowns initiative to expand or initiate Mobile Integrated Health services in rural areas across Iowa. This initiative is part of the state broader Rural Health Transformation Program, supported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and is designed to address persistent healthcare access challenges in rural communities. These challenges include workforce shortages, limited access to care, transportation barriers, and higher rates of chronic disease. The program aims to build a sustainable, community based healthcare system that improves outcomes and reduces unnecessary hospital utilization. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the development or expansion of Mobile Integrated Health programs that deliver non emergent healthcare services through Emergency Medical Services clinicians. These services include treat in place care, telehealth enabled assessments, chronic disease management, post discharge follow up, prenatal and postpartum support, medication reconciliation, and social needs screening. Applicants may either initiate a new program or expand an existing one to additional rural counties. The program emphasizes coordinated care through partnerships with hospitals, clinics, public health agencies, and other community organizations. Funding for this program is substantial and structured across multiple years. The agency anticipates awarding approximately seven grants in the first year, with total funding of about 5049975 dollars for that period and approximately 20199900 dollars across the full program term. Individual awards are expected to be approximately 721425 dollars per year, with a projected four year total of 2885700 dollars per award. Funds are distributed through a combination of line item reimbursements and deliverable based payments. Allowable costs include staffing, equipment, training, and program implementation activities, while restrictions prohibit expenditures such as vehicle purchases, construction, and reimbursable clinical services. Eligibility is broad but specific to organizations already providing Iowa authorized Emergency Medical Services. Eligible applicants include public, private, nonprofit, for profit, academic, and governmental entities that deliver EMS or community based clinical services within Iowa. Applicants must serve at least one county with areas eligible for rural health grants, and preference is given to those serving multiple counties. The program requires demonstrated operational readiness, established partnerships, and the ability to collect and report detailed service and beneficiary data in compliance with state and federal requirements. Applications must be submitted electronically through the IowaGrants system and include multiple required components such as organizational information, staffing plans, operational readiness documentation, a detailed work plan, and a line item budget. The evaluation process includes technical review, committee scoring, and priority point assignment, with criteria focusing on clarity, completeness, organizational capacity, and alignment with program goals. Applicants may also be asked to participate in oral presentations as part of the review process. The application timeline includes an issuance date of July 14, 2026, with final applications due by September 1, 2026 at 12 PM local Iowa time. Questions must be submitted through the IowaGrants platform by specified deadlines in July and August. Award notifications are expected around October 16, 2026, with contracts beginning October 31, 2026 and extending through September 30, 2031. The program requires ongoing reporting, including monthly, quarterly, and annual reports, and mandates that services begin by the end of the first contract year. This funding opportunity is not described as recurring and is subject to federal approval and funding availability.

Clearly demonstrate operational readiness strong partnerships and ability to deliver MIH services across rural areas while aligning with evaluation criteria and reporting requirements