BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Legislature appears headed to a January special session.
Governor Kelly Armstrong informed legislative leaders Friday that he’s identified January 21 as the tentative date for a special session. The session will allow legislators to act on anticipated federal funding for North Dakota’s Rural Health Transformation Program.
“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 state submitted its funding application to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in November. It 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.
The state expects to hear about award decisions by the end of the year.
