River Bend Times

U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) hosted her second hospital roundtable in Davenport, Iowa, bringing together Iowa HHS Director Kelly Garcia and leaders from seven hospitals in Southeast Iowa. The meeting focused on improving rural health care delivery and ensuring resources reach areas where they are most needed.

Hospitals at the roundtable included Washington County Hospital and Clinics, Jackson County Regional Health Center, UnityPoint Health Jones Regional Medical Center, MercyOne Genesis (Davenport), UnityPoint Health–Trinity Muscatine Hospital, MercyOne Clinton Medical Center, and Great River Health (Burlington).

“Our rural hospitals are the backbone of health care in Iowa,” said Miller-Meeks. “This roundtable was about making sure the new $50 billion Rural Hospital Transformation Fund is implemented effectively, ensuring Medicaid serves the people it was intended for, and cutting through unnecessary regulations so providers can focus on patient care. By working together, we can protect access to quality care in rural communities while making sure taxpayer dollars are used responsibly.”

Kelly Garcia commented on the importance of the initiative: “The Rural Health Transformation program gives Iowa the opportunity to build out the framework to enhance and expand work we’ve been planning for years. Through the Centers of Excellence models and legislation focused on rural health last session, Governor Reynolds’ vision for a strong rural health system means Iowa is ahead of the curve. I appreciate Congresswoman Miller-Meeks bringing us to the table alongside health care partners – each of us represents a unique vantage point and perspective on the system. Through these conversations, we are honing in on concrete ideas and brass-tacks details that matter tremendously as we map the course for rural health, which in a state like Iowa, impacts the entirety of the state’s health care ecosystem.”

Miller-Meeks has represented Iowa’s 1st district in Congress since 2021 after serving previously in the Iowa Senate from 2019 to 2021. She succeeded Dave Loebsack in Congress. Born in Herlong, California in 1955, Miller-Meeks now resides in Le Claire. She earned her BSN from Texas Christian University in 1976.

This event marks Miller-Meeks’ continued effort to meet with local health leaders to ensure federal support addresses challenges facing rural communities.