Gov. Kelly Armstrong recently announced that North Dakota submitted its Rural Health Transformation Program application to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The application outlines how the state will invest more than $500 million over five years to strengthen rural health care by improving access, quality and outcomes for North Dakotans in rural communities.

“North Dakota is a proud rural state. Whether you live in Beach or Belcourt, Crosby or Colfax, or anywhere in between, North Dakotans should have access to high-quality health care,” Armstrong said. “The Rural Health Transformation Program gives us an opportunity to think about ways to bring sustainable and transformational care to our rural communities. We appreciate President Trump, CMS Administrator Oz and our congressional delegation for supporting this funding that will be transformational for health care delivery in North Dakota.”

Signed into law as part of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the Rural Health Transformation Program empowers North Dakota to reimagine how rural health care is delivered and create innovative, lasting solutions that meet the needs of local communities.

The state’s application centers on four strategic initiatives: strengthening and stabilizing rural health workforce; making North Dakota healthy again with preventive care and healthy eating; bringing high-quality health care closer to home; and connecting technology, data and providers for a stronger North Dakota.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to strengthen rural health care delivery in North Dakota,” said Pat Traynor, interim commissioner of North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS). “Our plan prioritizes better access to care and long-term wellness while advancing our vision to make North Dakota the healthiest state in the nation.”