Missouri Office of Rural Health

**Welcome to the Missouri Office of Rural Health (MORH)** It is a challenge for rural communities in Missouri to establish and sustain a health care system which provides essential health services to their community. MORH assumes a leadership role in working or contracting with state and federal agencies, universities, private interest groups, communities, foundations and local health centers to develop rural health initiatives and maximize the use of existing resources to assist our rural hospitals and clinics be a success. Rural Missouri communities face different health care and wellness issues than larger metropolitan areas. Receiving health care services may be challenging in remote areas due to travelling long distances to see a physician for routine checkups or screenings. Rural Hospitals, Local Public Health Agencies (LPHAs) , [Federally Qualified Health Center's (FQHCs)](https://www.cms.gov/fqhc-information-center?redirect=/center/fqhc.asp "(opens in a new window)") and [Rural Health Care Clinics (RHCs)](https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/rural-health-clinics "(opens in a new window)") are a vital and important source of primary and preventative care for patient in these areas.