Baxter Health has secured state funding to advance two initiatives designed to expand healthcare access across rural Arkansas. The funding, provided through the State of Arkansas Rural Health Transformation Program, will support the health system’s THRIVE at Home program and the Baxter Health Rural Access Network, also known as PACT.
Baxter Health President and CEO Ron Peterson said the investment equips the organization with additional tools to address barriers rural patients often encounter when seeking care, such as long travel distances, limited access to specialists, and transportation challenges.
The THRIVE at Home initiative received partial funding from the state and focuses on enhancing healthcare delivery beyond traditional hospital settings. The program includes emergency response modernization, remote patient monitoring, telehealth services, Hospital at Home care, and Community Paramedicine. Planned upgrades to digital infrastructure will support these services. According to Baxter Health, the scope and timeline of the project will be finalized with state officials. Some aspects of the original proposal may also be included in future funding requests.
The PACT initiative was fully funded and aims to strengthen partnerships among regional healthcare organizations while increasing access to specialty care in rural areas. Baxter Health’s plans include converting five community clinics to Rural Health Clinic status, widening access to specialty care through telehealth, and deploying a mobile unit to focus on preventive screenings and value-based healthcare services. The funding will also support investments in clinical communication technology and SAFE facilities, which enhance security and clinical readiness.
In collaboration with regional organizations, including Boston Mountain Rural Health Center and Izard Regional Hospital, Baxter Health intends to address challenges posed by an aging population and ongoing healthcare workforce shortages. Peterson emphasized that regional cooperation will be vital to the success of these programs.
The funding announcement follows extensive planning and coordination involving Baxter Health and local healthcare partners. The health system will now work with state officials to finalize details, responsibilities, and timelines for implementation. Two additional Baxter Health proposals—RISE and HEART—are still under consideration by the state and could bring further resources to the region if approved.
“This state investment marks an important milestone,” said Peterson, while cautioning that the effort to improve rural healthcare is just beginning.