Senate Rural Healthcare Committee to Host Public Hearing in Joplin

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   Senate News Newsroom Facts About the Missouri Senate Audio Archive Tweets by the Missouri Senate Senate Rural Healthcare Committee to Host Public Hearing in Joplin Thursday, July 9, 2026 Senator Jill Carter 32nd Senatorial District Capitol Building, Rm. 320 Jefferson City, MO 65101 For Immediate Release: July 9, 2026 Contact: Dennis Rhodes 573-751-2173 Senate Rural Healthcare Committee to Host Public Hearing in Joplin JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Senate Select Committee on Rural Healthcare, will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 2 p.m. The hearing will take place in Room 205 of the Ron Richard Athletic Center at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin. The hearing will feature presentations from leading healthcare organizations on the challenges facing rural healthcare and potential solutions to improve access and outcomes across Missouri. Topics will include the 340B Drug Pricing Program, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), rural healthcare data and transformation strategies, and access to primary care in rural communities. Featured Presentations: Missouri Hospital Association — 340B Drug Pricing Program Missouri Pharmacy Association and Missouri Pharmacy Business Council — Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and their impact on pharmacies and patients Rural Health Transformation Office — Rural health data and transformation strategy Missouri State Medical Association and Association of Missouri Nurse Practitioners — Primary care access in rural communities "Rural Missourians deserve reliable access to hospitals, pharmacies, primary care providers and affordable medications close to home,” said Sen. Jill Carter, R-Joplin, chair of the Missouri Senate Select Committee. “This hearing is an opportunity to hear directly from experts on the front lines about challenges facing rural communities and explore practical, data-driven solutions that strengthen healthcare access and improve outcomes for families across our state and right here in southwest Missouri." The hearing is open to the public, who are encouraged to attend. Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the proceedings. For more information about Sen. Carter and her Senate committee memberships, visit her official Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Carter .