Gov. Kelly Armstrong today informed legislative leaders that he has tentatively set Jan. 21 for a special session of the 69th Legislative Assembly to act on anticipated federal funding for North Dakota’s Rural Health Transformation Program.
North Dakota submitted its funding application to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Nov. 3. The application outlines plans to invest more than $500 million over five years to strengthen rural health care by improving access, quality, and outcomes for residents in the state’s rural communities. CMS is expected to announce award decisions by Dec. 31.
Before the funds can be spent, the Legislature must appropriate the dollars. Armstrong worked closely with legislative leaders to identify tentative dates for the special session. Once North Dakota receives official notice of the funding award from CMS, the governor will issue an executive order convening the Legislature.
“We have an incredible opportunity to strengthen and reshape rural health care in North Dakota through the Rural Health Transformation Program,” Armstrong said. “I appreciate the collaboration with legislative leadership and look forward to a special session laser-focused on the task at hand — appropriating these federal dollars in the most efficient and effective way possible to improve the well-being of our citizens.”
The Rural Health Transformation Program, created as part of the federal Working Families Tax Cut Act, empowers North Dakota to reimagine rural health care delivery and develop innovative, lasting solutions tailored to local communities.
North Dakota’s application focuses on four key initiatives: strengthening and stabilizing the rural health workforce; promoting preventive care and healthy lifestyles; expanding access to high-quality health care closer to home; and leveraging technology, data, and provider networks for better outcomes.
The plan was shaped largely by stakeholder feedback and bipartisan support from state lawmakers. North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) conducted a 30-day survey that received more than 1,200 responses and hosted three listening sessions attended by over 300 participants.
Under the federal law, $50 billion is appropriated over five years, with half distributed equally among all states. The remaining funds will be awarded based on state applications and metrics demonstrating where the investment can make the greatest impact on rural health.