Rural health care costs with US Congressman District 8 MO Jason Smith

Rising rural health care costs remain a major concern for Jason Smith, who has pointed to limited access, hospital closures, and systemic inefficiencies as key drivers affecting families across southeast and south-central Missouri. Smith has emphasized that many rural communities face long travel distances and fewer providers, while more than a dozen hospitals in Missouri have closed over the past decade, increasing pressure on remaining facilities and driving up costs. He has also argued that the broader health care system—including hospitals, insurers, and drug manufacturers—shares responsibility for high prices, citing consolidation and opaque billing practices as contributors to rising expenses. In response, Smith has supported federal efforts like the Rural Health Transformation Program, which delivered over $216 million to Missouri to expand access, strengthen the workforce, and reduce disparities in care, particularly as rural populations experience higher rates of chronic disease and mortality than urban areas.