Idaho Gets $930 Million to Boost Rural Health Care Access
Idaho Receives $930 Million in Federal Funds to Improve Rural Health Care Access
Idaho is set to receive nearly $930 million over the next five years to improve rural health care access and affordability. This significant funding comes as part of a larger federal tax and spending package approved in July, which included $50 billion for “Rural Healthcare Transformation” grants nationwide. On December 30, Idaho was awarded nearly $186 million annually to be distributed over five years to implement the plan outlined in its grant application.
The state’s initiative focuses on five key areas: improving rural access to care through technology, ensuring accessible quality care through innovative models, sustaining rural workforce with training, recruitment, and retention, implementing population-specific, evidence-based projects to make rural America healthy again, and investing in rural health infrastructure and partnerships.
Governor Brad Little emphasized the importance of this investment, stating that it recognizes the real concerns many Idaho families face, especially in rural areas. He highlighted that the funds will help strengthen local health care and ensure that Idahoans can get the affordable care they need, no matter where they live.
Technology to Enhance Rural Health Care Access
One of the main components of the plan involves using technology to improve rural access to care. The state’s application includes plans to conduct assessments on rural health care facilities to identify gaps and develop shared infrastructure among clients. Investments in equipment, software, and training will expand telehealth options. The state also plans to help procure mobile apps and online portals to assist Idahoan patients with self-monitoring, appointment scheduling, medication adherence, and coaching.
Additional investments include cybersecurity improvements, AI clinical tools, emergency system upgrades, and health management and analytics systems. The goals by 2030 include increasing the number of facilities utilizing telehealth by 50%, increasing the percentage of physicians connected to the new Health Alert Network (HAN) to at least 80%, and increasing the number of appointments completed using telehealth or remote delivery modality by 50%.
Innovative Models for Rural Health Care
Idaho’s plan to use “innovative models” includes deploying kiosks and pods in rural communities in places such as libraries, grocery stores, and pharmacies. These locations would allow people to attend telehealth appointments or receive mail-order prescriptions in lockers. To address workforce shortages in rural areas, the plan proposes utilizing health care professionals who aren’t doctors, such as emergency medical services (EMS) responders.
Funds may also be used to create designated locations where these professionals could hold in-person contact hours or offer apprenticeships. Additionally, the plan includes developing a Community Health Emergency Medical Services plan and allowing trained EMS professionals to perform check-ups and wellness assessments in homes. Goals include increasing the percentage of Idaho’s rural counties with at least one county-level full-time equivalent paid EMS position from 28% in October 2025 to at least 97% by December 2030.
Supporting Medical Education and Training
Most of Idaho is rural, and the entire state is experiencing a significant shortage of doctors, especially in certain areas like obstetrics and gynecology. The state does not have a public medical school but has some state-sponsored seats at the University of Washington and University of Utah medical schools. Both graduate and undergraduate medical students can do required training rotations in Idaho, and increasing opportunities for these clinic rotations has been a focus of a recent task force looking to boost medical education in the state.
The application includes financial incentives for doctors who commit to working in rural areas for at least five years, including signing bonuses and retention bonuses. There would also be money put toward health care education scholarships for students who commit to serving in rural areas upon graduation, and support for physicians who train undergraduate or graduate medical students.
Projects to Address Chronic Disease, Mental Health, and Maternal Health
Within Idaho’s initiative to “make rural America healthy again,” are projects aimed at preventing chronic health conditions, improving mental health and substance abuse treatment, and addressing shortages in maternal and child health services. These projects include the National Diabetes Prevention program, diabetes self-management education and support programs, and enhanced screening and education about Alzheimer’s and related dementias, cancer, heart disease, and other chronic conditions.
Funds could be used for initial start-up costs for a pediatric psychiatry access line, providing space for mental health treatment in schools, expanding mobile crisis response teams, and completing a needs assessment of maternal and neonatal care. Goals include decreasing the number of deaths from suicide, drug overdose, and alcoholism by 25% from 1,216 in 2023 to 912 or fewer by December 2030.
Infrastructure Investments and Partnerships
The planned investments in rural health care infrastructure include supporting renovations of facilities that would facilitate prevention programs, behavioral health treatment, dental and maternal health services. The funds could also be used to modernize facilities with the purchase of equipment such as MRIs, CT scanners, and other items that would allow rural residents access to higher-level care without traveling to a larger community.
The application includes a plan to purchase mobile mammography units to offer breast cancer screenings in areas where they are not offered and to help clinics retrofit vehicles for patient transportation. The application also includes a commitment to strengthen partnerships with the five federally recognized Native American tribes in Idaho, as well as setting aside 3.5% of its total grant to support tribal health care facilities and projects intended to improve services for Native American residents.
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