Today, North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) launched a request for information survey to gather public feedback on how the state could shape its new Rural Health Transformation Program to build a stronger, more sustainable rural health care system.
The Rural Health Transformation Program was created as part of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed into law on July 4. This program is projected to invest $500 million over five years to transform rural health care in North Dakota from Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2031.
The survey is part of a statewide effort to better understand the needs of rural communities to improve care and support long-term wellness. Rural patients and residents; hospitals, clinics and provider networks; community-based organizations; tribal partners and others are encouraged to complete the survey.
Interested individuals can find the survey online at hhsnd.site/rhtp-survey. It should take participants about 15-20 minutes to complete. The information gathered will be used for planning and information-gathering purposes only. Deadline to respond is Sept. 12.
“This funding creates a unique opportunity for North Dakota,” said HHS Medical Services Executive Sarah Aker. “Leveraging these federal funds allows us to invest in our state’s health infrastructure to increase innovation and transform rural health care to help North Dakota become the healthiest state in the nation.”
The state’s implementation strategy plan must align with the required use categories and eligibility criteria that will be defined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Some key areas the plan must address include expanding access to rural hospitals, providers and services; improving health outcomes for rural residents; and using new, innovative technologies to support prevention and chronic disease management.
Other topics the plan must include are using data and technology solutions to help rural providers deliver services closer to patients’ homes and increasing recruiting and training for health care clinicians.
Aker said the agency is working diligently to complete the necessary steps to secure the federal funding, which requires HHS to submit a one-time application and the state’s plan to CMS later this fall. Specific guidance from CMS has not yet been released. CMS must approve applications by Dec. 31.
Paper copies of the survey can be requested by contacting Ashley Gerving, 701-328-2354 or gervingashley@nd.gov.
To learn more about the Rural Health Transformation Program, visit hhs.nd.gov/rural-health-transformation.