North Dakota

Event schedule: - *Bismarck, ND (, 2026)* - North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) is launching a new $40 million funding opportunity designed to help rural hospitals upgrade clinical equipment, strengthen emergency and specialty care services, and keep more healthcare close to home for North Dakotans. - May 29 - For many rural communities, limited and aging equipment can mean patients must travel hours for emergency care, advanced imaging, cancer treatment, obstetric care or specialized procedures. State leaders say the funding is designed to help hospitals provide faster diagnoses, improve outcomes and strengthen the long-term future of rural health care in North Dakota. - Applicants must be critical access hospitals, rural emergency hospitals or ambulatory care units located in rural North Dakota, including non-federally operated Indian Health Service hospitals. Applications are due , 2026, at 5 p.m. CT. A technical assistance call for interested applicants will be held June 8, from noon to 12:45 p.m. CT. - June 30 - More information about the funding opportunity, including application materials and technical assistance resources, is available at North Dakota Rural Health Transformation Program webpage [ https://www.hhs.nd.gov/rural-health-transformation?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]. - News: North Dakota launches $40 million grant opportunity to help rural hospitals expand lifesaving care close to home News: For Immediate Release North Dakota launches $40 million grant opportunity to help rural hospitals expand lifesaving care close to home View this release online: hhs.nd.gov Bismarck, ND (May 29, 2026) - North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) is launching a new $40 million funding opportunity designed to help rural hospitals upgrade clinical equipment, strengthen emergency and specialty care services, and keep more healthcare close to home for North Dakotans. For many rural communities, limited and aging equipment can mean patients must travel hours for emergency care, advanced imaging, cancer treatment, obstetric care or specialized procedures. State leaders say the funding is designed to help hospitals provide faster diagnoses, improve outcomes and strengthen the long-term future of rural health care in North Dakota. “This investment is about helping rural hospitals continue delivering high-quality care in the communities people call home,” said HHS Commissioner Patrick Traynor. “When hospitals have the tools they need locally, patients and families spend less time traveling for care and communities are better positioned to remain healthy and strong.” The Rural Hospital Clinical Equipment funding opportunity will support eligible rural hospitals in purchasing equipment ranging from advanced imaging and emergency stabilization tools to surgical, obstetric and oncology technology. The funding opportunity is part of North Dakota’s broader Rural Health Transformation Program, a statewide effort focused on improving access to care, strengthening the rural health workforce and helping communities build sustainable health care systems. Approximately 20 awards of about $2 million each are expected to be distributed to eligible rural hospitals across North Dakota. Funding may support clinical equipment purchases, installation costs and minor renovations directly tied to patient care improvements. Eligible projects may include: MRI, CT and ultrasound equipment Emergency and trauma stabilization tools Surgical and minimally invasive procedure technology Labor and delivery and neonatal equipment Cardiology and respiratory care systems Rehabilitation and post-acute care equipment Oncology treatment technology Infection prevention and patient safety systems A full list of eligible projects can be found in the funding opportunity guidance at www.hhs.nd.gov/rural-health-transformation/funding . Applicants must be critical access hospitals, rural emergency hospitals or ambulatory care units located in rural North Dakota, including non-federally operated Indian Health Service hospitals. Applications are due June 30, 2026, at 5 p.m. CT. A technical assistance call for interested applicants will be held June 8, from noon to 12:45 p.m. CT. More information about the funding opportunity, including application materials and technical assistance resources, is available at North Dakota Rural Health Transformation Program webpage . The Rural Health Transformation Program is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as part of a financial assistance award totaling $198,936,969.55, with 100% funded by CMS. The contents are those of North Dakota Health and Human Services and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CMS, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or the U.S. government. Where to Apply www.hhs.nd.gov/rural-health-transformation/funding Health and Human Services provides services that help North Dakotans of all ages enhance their well-being and quality of life by supporting equitable access to the social determinants of health, which include economic stability, housing, education, food, community and behavioral and physical health. The combined agency employs about 2,800 team members who are based across the state. # # # For More Information Contact: Mindy Michels (701) 328-1362 mmichaels@nd.gov Subscribe to News and Alerts Click Here for All News Releases Learn More at HHS.ND.GOV Manage Subscriptions - Unsubscribe All | Help This email was sent to p2p4.ai@gmail.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services · 600 East Boulevard Ave · Bismarck, ND · 58505-0200

North Dakota received nearly $199 million in CMS funding to launch the Rural Health Transformation Program, marking a significant investment in rural health. Dr. David Hunnicutt, a national wellness leader, was named as strategist to guide planning and alignment. The initiative aims to build sustainable health systems and improve outcomes in rural communities.

North Dakota HHS announced rural health grant opportunities for school and community-based initiatives including physical education, gardens, and walking programs. CMS awarded ND nearly $199 million for RHTP implementation in 2026. The grants support physical, mental, and social wellness efforts for rural residents, targeting obesity and chronic disease prevention.

North Dakota Health and Human Services was awarded $198.9M in year 1 RHTP federal funding. This announcement launches a $10M workforce retention solicitation for Critical Access Hospitals and their clinics, expected to make about 37 awards in the first year. Eligible projects must promote rural provider retention and stability through concrete, measurable strategies such as retention bonuses, childcare supports, and professional development. Key contacts: RHTP Program Team rhtp@nd.gov Event schedule: - Applications due - 04/30/2026 - 5:00 PM CT - Review and scoring period - 05/01/2026-05/30/2026 - All year 1 funds must be awarded - 09/2026 - All year 1 funds must be expended - 09/30/2027

This document is a North Dakota Department of Health & Human Services template budget/application for the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), outlining fields, guidance, and strategic priority areas for potential applicants. Strategic goals emphasize workforce pipelines, technology, data, and safety net sustainability, but no awarded funding or recipients are specified. Event schedule: - Budget Period 1 Start - 12/29/2025 - Budget Period 1 End - 09/30/2026

North Dakota is launching a $40 million competitive RHTP opportunity to assist rural hospitals in upgrading clinical equipment, supporting advanced care delivery and addressing key health priorities. Hospitals may request funds for a range of equipment aligned to local needs and RHTP metrics. Applications are due June 30, 2026, and a technical assistance webinar is available to support applicants. Event schedule: - Application Deadline - 06/30/2026 - 5:00 PM CT - ND HHS via Qualtrics - Technical Assistance Webinar - June 3, 2026 - 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM CT - Registration Link (see document)

North Dakota HHS expects to receive at least $100 million per year in federal funds under the Rural Health Transformation Program, pending application approval to CMS by Dec 31, 2025. The state is currently in the planning and stakeholder engagement phase, actively soliciting input to shape its transformation plan and aligning with strategic goals to support rural health outcomes, technology, workforce, and facility solvency. No sub-award or provider-level funding has yet been announced. Event schedule: - RHTP State Application Deadline - 12/31/2025 - CMS Guidance Expected - Fall 2025 - ND HHS Rural Health Transformation Plan Listening Sessions (anticipated) - Fall 2025 - State Survey Deadline for Plan Input - 09/12/2025

North Dakota submitted its application for the federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) in November 2025 and will provide updates as planning advances. The newsletter emphasizes ongoing member engagement, but no awards or program funding decisions have been made public yet.

North Dakota HHS announced the addition of a tribal manager and rural hospital advisor to guide the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The program leverages nearly $199 million in federal funding to strengthen rural health care, enhance tribal engagement, and achieve meaningful transformation for hospitals and communities across North Dakota. Workforce, fiscal management, and technology advancement are key areas of focus.

North Dakota Health and Human Services has onboarded new tribal and hospital advisors to guide the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The program is described as a five-year investment aiming to improve rural health, focusing on tribal integration, workforce, fiscal improvement, and hospital transformation. The team will help tribal and rural organizations access funding opportunities within RHTP over the next five years.

This scoring tool guides reviewers in evaluating applications for North Dakota's RHTP Workforce Retention funding, targeting Critical Access Hospitals and owned clinics. Applications are scored on alignment with RHTP goals, measurable outcomes, and planning for sustainability. Key focus is on rural workforce retention, measurable metrics, and clear strategies addressing state priorities.

This is an official application and project budget template for North Dakota's Rural Health Transformation Program, detailing eligible budget categories and subrecipient expectations. It includes a comprehensive list of rural health strategic priorities such as workforce retention, technology enablement, system redesign, and health equity. No recipient, award amount, or program budget is specified; this template supports future sub-award applications. Event schedule: - "Budget Period 1: , 2025 - September 30, 2026" - December 29 - Personnel,Federal Funds,Match

North Dakota HHS is conducting community outreach meetings across the state to inform and engage stakeholders about the Rural Health Transformation Program. Meetings are hosted/sponsored by state lawmakers with participation by ND HHS representatives. Key contacts: Pat Traynor; Jody Estensen; Rep. Kathy Skroch Event schedule: - Community Meeting - Hankinson - 06/25/2025 - 3:00 PM CT - Hankinson Community Center, 112 Main Ave. South

North Dakota HHS announced several new RHTP funding opportunities for rural and tribal health system transformation, valued at almost $199 million in federal funding for the first year. The email summarizes upcoming competitive grants across service delivery, behavioral health, workforce, physical activity, and food access. Application windows for these grant opportunities fall between April and May 2026.

North Dakota has established a system to support informal and formal caregivers through training, respite services, and an online enrollment portal that assists family caregivers becoming paid supports. The program improves community-based care awareness and helps adults with disabilities and older adults live independently.