Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has appointed ConnectLA Executive Director Veneeth Iyengar to the newly established Louisiana Rural Health Transformation Program Advisory Council, according to state announcements from April 2026. The advisory council operates alongside the newly formed Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability within the Louisiana Department of Health, a state agency created by executive order to address persistent medical access gaps across rural parishes.
Federal Funding and Program Goals
The state’s rural health initiative is backed by approximately $208,374,448 in federal funding, according to records from the Louisiana Department of Health. State officials report that this award ranks among the highest in the nation, positioning Louisiana to draw down more than $1 billion in total funding over the next five-year implementation period.
Nearly 1.1 million residents live in rural Louisiana parishes, where communities frequently encounter higher rates of chronic disease, provider shortages, and limited healthcare infrastructure. According to the Louisiana Department of Health, the Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability will direct these federal dollars toward workforce expansion, technology modernization, innovative care delivery models, and improved service coordination. State leaders emphasize that the initiative targets maternal and infant health outcomes, behavioral health access, and earlier detection of serious conditions such as cancer.
Leadership and Advisory Structure
Governor Landry appointed Veneeth Iyengar, who also leads broadband expansion efforts through ConnectLA, to guide the advisory council alongside health officials. According to the governor’s office, the advisory council ensures that transformation strategies align with statewide priorities and address specific community needs through data-driven improvements.
“This executive order reflects our commitment to improving health outcomes for Louisiana families, no matter where they live,” Governor Landry stated in an announcement released by the Louisiana Department of Health. Landry credited former President Donald Trump and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Oz for securing the federal allocation.
Louisiana Department of Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein described the initiative as a historic opportunity to build a coordinated and sustainable care system for rural populations. Additionally, Louisiana Surgeon General Dr. Evelyn Griffin noted that the program aims to bridge geographic disparities, ensuring residents in rural regions such as Tensas or Cameron Parish receive preventive and emergency care comparable to services available in major urban centers like New Orleans.
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