The RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis (RUPRI Center) at the University of Iowa has received a four-year, $2.8 million funding renewal from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy/Health Resources and Services Administration. This cooperative agreement will allow the center to continue its crucial research on how payment and regulatory policies affect health care organizations and health plans in rural areas.

“We’re thrilled about this funding renewal and the opportunities it provides for the center to pursue impactful research in collaboration with our partners at Washington University in St. Louis,” says Whitney Zahnd, deputy director of the RUPRI Center and assistant professor of health management and policy at the University of Iowa. “It also enables us to involve our students, who play a vital role in these projects while gaining valuable experience in rural health research.”

According to Keith Mueller, RUPRI Center director and Gerhard Hartman Professor of Health Management and Policy, the RUPRI Center has had a unique impact on national policy. “Our work is essential in shaping and refining policies, particularly regarding Medicare payment policies, including the impact of Medicare Advantage on providers and beneficiaries, as well as new value-based payment approaches that may enhance individual and community health.”

In recent years, the center’s research portfolio has expanded to include important studies on long-term care, health insurance affordability, pharmacy access, and addressing health-related social needs.

Based in the Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Iowa College of Public Health, the RUPRI Center aims to understand the complexities of rural health care systems and the specific needs of rural communities.

“We will continue to conduct research that informs policymakers, federal agencies, and others involved in the development of legislation, regulations, and future research impacting rural health,” Zahnd states.

Mueller adds that the RUPRI Center will undertake at least four independent projects each year during the four-year funding cycle, supporting its infrastructure, including leadership, administration, and analytical capabilities. “We will maintain our strong track record of fostering academic careers for faculty and graduate students.”

“This was a highly competitive process, and I’m proud of the RUPRI team and the impact we have on public policies that affect rural individuals, providers, and communities,” Mueller concludes.