The Missouri Rural Health Association (MRHA) received a six-figure donation from Healthy Blue to improve healthcare access in rural areas by removing transportation barriers for vulnerable and low-income individuals.

Thousands of rural Missourians receive care in a less timely fashion than their urban counterparts, lack access to locally available healthcare services and even face long distance travel to reach a hospital or to access medical specialty care. In response, Healthy Blue and MRHA have joined forces to help care for patients residing in rural areas where services and resources may be limited.

According to a news release, Healthy Blue donated $100,000 to MRHA. Through MRHA’s HealthTran Mobility Management and Coordination service, volunteer drivers are recruited and trained to close transportation gaps in rural communities. As a result, individuals in West Central Missouri and surrounding rural areas can schedule rides to health and wellness visits.

Officials say without this service, access to care would be difficult or unachievable.

Melissa VanDyne, MRHA Executive Director says, “We can’t thank Healthy Blue enough for their support. This generous donation will support our efforts to address transportation deserts in many of our rural communities. Healthy Blue’s commitment to prioritizing equitable and accessible health care is evident by this donation.”

Healthy Blue’s donation offers wrap-around support that will help to:

• Strengthen health care access through community collaboration, mobility management, advocacy initiatives, and sustainability efforts.
• Fortify a one-stop ride scheduling platform to link all local transit options for seamless scheduling.
• Enhance HealthTran’s volunteer driver service.
• Manage nontraditional forms of transportation and scale service offerings by utilizing available and unused vehicles dedicated to community transport.

Jeff Davis, Healthy Blue President says, “Healthy Blue continues to invest and work with our community partners to find innovative solutions that bring transportation services to our most vulnerable members. It’s through these programs and partnerships that we can positively impact our members and local communities ensuring reliable and accessible healthcare services.”