Floyd County Medical Center CEO discusses rural maternal health in Washington, D.C.

To The Press

Dawnett Willis, chief executive officer of Floyd County Medical Center, traveled to Washington, D.C., for the American Hospital Association’s annual meeting last week.

A team of representatives from the Iowa Hospital Association (IHA) and 20 hospital leaders from across the state met with members of Congress to discuss topics affecting health care in Iowa, including the importance of Medicaid.

Willis and her colleagues met with Sen. Joni Ernst, Sen. Chuck Grassley, Rep. Randy Feenstra, Rep. Zach Nunn, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Rep. Ashley Hinson, who represents District 2 which includes Floyd County.

Willis discussed FCMC’s maternal health program, including how the Medical Center has used Iowa’s Medicaid Hospital Directed Payment Program (DPP) to enhance prenatal and postnatal care.

In the meetings with members of Congress, Willis said FCMC recognizes that maternal health is a critical area of focus in the Iowa Medicaid Program, especially in rural communities like Charles City, which face challenges in maintaining comprehensive maternal health services.

She said FCMC has used DPP funding to enhance obstetrical care, address social determinants of maternal health and improve outcomes for Medicaid beneficiaries.

“By strategically allocating DPP funds, we have strengthened maternal health services in our critical access setting, ensuring that Iowa’s rural mothers and newborns receive high-quality, accessible care,” Willis said.

Willis has frequently advocated for the health care needs of rural Iowans to state and federal government leaders, according to information from the Medical Center, including in March when she attended the IHA’s Hospital Day on the Hill in Des Moines.