# Iowa Maternal Health Hub and Spoke Networks (RFP COMPADM26006) The Healthy Hometowns: Maternal Health Hub and Spoke Program (RFP #COMPADM26006) solicits applications to increase and sustain access to high-quality prenatal, labor and delivery, postpartum, mental health, and behavioral health services for pregnant and postpartum individuals in rural Iowa. Applicants may apply under one of three options: (1) Serve as a statewide Hub (Iowa Level III or IV Maternal Care Hospital); (2) Expand an existing Level I hospital’s capacity to Level II and serve as a regional Hub; (3) Establish and coordinate networks of rural Level I or II hospitals as Spoke sites (each network including 3–5 eligible members meeting proximity and referral standards). Awardees must have been open and providing qualifying maternal health services in Iowa since or before January 1, 2026, and remain so through application. Legally executed collaboration/network agreements are required with submission. Projects should propose collaborative, sustainable models—such as telehealth and multi-organizational rural partnerships—to build and maintain local maternal care. This procurement is 100% funded by CMS/HHS under the Rural Health Transformation Program (CMS-RHT-26-001) as part of Iowa's Hometown Connections Initiative, with up to $209,040,063.71 available through September 30, 2031. First-year anticipated funding is $38,591,059, with annual renewals and possible amendments subject to CMS/HHS approval and Agency discretion. Performance of grantees/subcontractors is subject to annual review by the Agency, compliance checks, and availability of funds. ## Key facts - Status: Closed - Type: RFP - Issued by: Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa) - Posted: 2026-07-14 - Questions due: 2026-08-17 - Letter of intent due: 2026-08-10 - Application due: 2026-09-01 - Funding: $38.6M - Eligible applicants: Public Hospital, Private Hospital, Nonprofit Organization, For-profit Organization, Academic Institution, Governmental Entity - How to apply: Electronic submission via IowaGrants (https://iowagrants.gov/) by September 1, 2026, 12:00 PM noon (local Iowa time). Mandatory LOI sent by email to melanie.mathes@hhs.iowa.gov (cc: shannon.garland@hhs.iowa.gov) by August 10, 2026. If applicable, signed NDAs/COI screening agreements are also sent t… - Funding source: Rural Health Transformation Program (CMS) - Official source: https://hhs.iowa.gov/media/19012/download ## Eligibility - Option 1 (Statewide Hub): Public, private, nonprofit, for-profit, academic institution, or governmental entity; Level III/IV Iowa Maternal Care Hospital (IAC 641–150.6 as of July 14, 2026); physically located in Iowa; must have been open and providing services in Iowa as of January 1, 2026, and at application. - Option 2 (Expand Hub Capacity): Same as above, but must be Level I hospital in Rural Iowa, intending to upscale to Level II; must show documentation of equivalent resources if not currently participating in Perinatal Health Care (Ch. 150 IAC) and attest to join the program if awarded; must identify Level II and Level III/IV referral hubs. - Option 3 (Networks of Spokes): Networks of 3–5 Level I/II Iowa Maternal Care Hospitals (IAC 641–150.6 as of July 14, 2026), all in Rural Iowa, open since Jan 1, 2026; all within 60 miles of two others (except border counties: within 60 miles of one other); network must list at least one referral hub (need not be in-network or in Iowa; only Iowa-based entities may receive funds); lead entity applies and executes subcontracts. - All: Applicants (including all network members) must be Iowa-registered, providing eligible maternal health services by Jan 1, 2026, and at application deadline; must submit mandatory LOI and all legally executed agreements with application. - Special TA Contract Rule: Awardees holding TA contracts under RFP# COMPADM26002/26003 must submit signed NDAs/COI screening agreements for relevant staff with LOI. ## Requirements - Submit mandatory Letter of Intent (LOI) by August 10, 2026, via email (melanie.mathes@hhs.iowa.gov; cc shannon.garland@hhs.iowa.gov); specify option and line(s) of service. Include names of all proposed network members (Option 3). - Apply exclusively via IowaGrants.gov by September 1, 2026, 12:00 noon IA time. - Include executed collaboration/network agreements and all eligibility documentation. - Submit TA provider NDAs/COI screening agreements (if applicable) by LOI deadline. - All eligibility and verification conditions as outlined in the RFP apply. Missing, late, or non-compliant submissions will be disqualified. ## Required attachments - Letter of Intent (due August 10, 2026) - Legally executed collaboration/network agreements - Hospital Level I/II/III/IV status documentation as applicable (IAC 641–150.6) - Attestation to join Perinatal Health Care program (if not enrolled, per Ch. 150 IAC) - Non-Disclosure/Conflict of Interest Screening Agreements (for relevant TA contract holders) ## Application package and source documents - [IA - 2026 - Maternal Health Hub and Spoke networks (Notice of Intent to Release — Maternal Health Hub and Spoke (RFP COMPADM26006))](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/ec4104a4-5f9d-4f3c-b43f-d0b0083f0010/file) (primary) — official: https://hhs.iowa.gov/media/18576/download?inline - [IA - 2026 - Healthy Hometowns Maternal Health Hub and Spoke Networks of Care (RFI Submission Instructions — COMPADM26006)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/db37fd45-b195-47ce-820f-b44688007dd0/file) — official: https://hhs.iowa.gov/media/18634/download?inline - [IA - 2026 - Healthy Hometowns RHTP](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/c553b0da-0806-4404-929f-74d94e1e0d3c/file) — official: https://hhs.iowa.gov/media/18633/download?inline - [IA - 2027 - Request For Proposal # Compadm26006](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/93ff8bf9-fd37-42e9-85d9-2383e06eb3ad/file) — official: https://hhs.iowa.gov/media/19012/download - [IA - 2026 - Cardiovascular Health Hub and Spoke networks](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/d9711533-eedf-42aa-92e2-ec2c22ef1cfc/file) — official: https://hhs.iowa.gov/media/18574/download?inline More Iowa RHTP activity: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/ia (markdown: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/ia.md) --- Source: Rural Care Journey (RCJ), https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/opportunities/iowa-maternal-health-hub-and-spoke-networks-rfp-compadm26006--d7227f36dc — data as of 2026-09-02. Cite the RCJ page for the summary and the linked official source for authoritative terms, deadlines, and amounts.