Peace Garden News

North Dakota is preparing for a significant investment in rural health care through the Rural Health Transformation Program. The state could receive at least $100 million per year, amounting to $500 million over five years, to address longstanding challenges such as workforce shortages, aging infrastructure, and rising costs.

Dan Conrad, President and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, emphasized the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders. "This will take a collective effort of creativity and collaboration among payers, providers, policymakers, employers and community leaders coming together with urgency and vision. We must align around shared goals, listen to the front lines and act boldly around ideas that truly transform a system that must work better for people in our rural communities," Conrad stated.

Community organizations, health care providers, businesses, and individuals are being consulted to generate ideas on how best to use these funds. Conrad highlighted the role his organization plays in serving more than 380,000 people through its health plans and noted ongoing efforts to collect feedback from across the state. "Knowing the urgency, we have offered our support and organized conversations with employers and community leaders to help gather feedback and bring perspectives from all corners of the state and from our members," he said.

Conrad also pointed out that technology could be key in improving access to care for rural residents. He suggested investments in digital infrastructure could connect remote communities with specialists through telehealth services and intelligent data exchange systems. "Technology isn’t just a tool — it’s a bridge to better outcomes and access for rural residents. When we focus investments on the most urgent needs — maternal health, behavioral health, chronic conditions — and empower community-rooted solutions, we can move beyond incremental change and take bold steps toward the future," Conrad added.

The initiative reflects a broader push within North Dakota to find new solutions for delivering quality health care outside urban centers by leveraging both financial resources and innovative approaches.