Gov. Jeff Landry signed an executive order establishing the Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability within the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), marking a major step forward in strengthening healthcare access and outcomes for rural communities across the state. The executive order also establishes the Rural Health Transformation Program Advisory Council.
The new office will lead the implementation of Louisiana’s Rural Health Transformation Program, supported by more than $208 million in federal funding. Louisiana’s award is among the highest in the nation and positions the state to draw down more than $1 billion in total funding over the next five years.
The Governor also announced the formation of the Rural Health Transformation Program Advisory Council. The Council will guide implementation and ensure rural health transformation efforts align with statewide priorities, address local community needs, and promote sustainable, data-driven improvements in care delivery.
“This executive order reflects our commitment to improving health outcomes for Louisiana families, no matter where they live,” said Governor Landry. “For too long, rural communities have faced barriers to accessing care. Today, we are taking decisive action to strengthen those systems so that every Louisianan has access to high-quality, reliable care close to home.”
Nearly 1.1 million Louisianans live in rural parishes. Residents in these areas face higher rates of chronic disease, limited access to care, and significant health care workforce shortages. The new office will coordinate statewide efforts to expand access to care, strengthen rural health infrastructure, and tackle chronic health conditions.
The Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability will focus on key priorities, including rural health care workforce expansion, technology modernization, innovative care delivery models, and improved coordination across healthcare services. These initiatives are designed to reduce the burden of chronic disease, improve maternal and infant health outcomes, expand access to behavioral health services, and support earlier detection and treatment of serious conditions such as cancer.