North Dakota Boosts Rural Healthcare with New Grants
BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota is setting aside tens of millions of dollars to enhance healthcare in rural areas, with some application deadlines quickly approaching.
The North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on Wednesday that $50.5 million in fresh grants are being made available through the state’s Rural Health Transformation Program. This initiative is part of a larger federal investment, totaling nearly $200 million, aimed at improving healthcare in rural communities, fully funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
“Every community has its own unique challenges, so a generic solution won’t work for everyone,” said HHS Commissioner Pat Traynor. “These funding options allow communities to focus on what they need the most.”
Grants Available and Their Deadlines
Several grants are currently open, with deadlines coming up as early as Thursday, July 30:
- Hospital-based Wellness Equipment: About $500,000 is available for critical access hospitals; due July 30.
- School-based Wellness Equipment: $500,000 for rural schools; due July 30.
- Self-Serve Dispensing Kiosks in Pharmacies: $600,000 to help extend medication access beyond standard pharmacy hours; due July 30.
- Parents Lead: Behavioral Health Curriculum: $500,000 for statewide behavioral health training; due Aug. 8.
- Rural Ambulance Equipment and Upgrades: Approximately $22 million for rural ambulance services; due Aug. 9.
- Childcare for the Rural Health Workforce: Around $3 million to help rural hospitals plan sustainable childcare for their staff; due Aug. 11.
- Clinics Without Walls: Telehealth Infrastructure: $3.6 million for telehealth services; due Aug. 14.
- Clinics Without Walls: Remote Patient Monitoring: About $1.6 million for technology that allows remote patient monitoring; due Aug. 14.
- Technology as an Extender: Approximately $5 million to reduce reliance on in-person staff; due Aug. 18.
More grant opportunities are likely to be announced soon, including funding for non-emergency medical transportation vehicles.
Eligible applicants may apply for multiple grants. Detailed information about eligibility and application materials can be found on the North Dakota HHS Rural Health Transformation Program website.
