Millions of dollars in funds have been awarded to medical facilities across North Idaho to improve access and expand services for rural residents.

Governor Brad Little announced that the state has awarded $186 million in year-one grant funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program, which includes investments in Bonner, Benewah and Kootenai counties.

The funding is part of a five-year almost $1 billion federal initiative by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services aiming to alleviate challenges facing rural healthcare providers like workforce shortages, aging infrastructure and limited access to medical care.

“For many Idaho families — especially in rural areas — affordable, accessible healthcare is a real concern,” Little said in a statement announcing the grant funding. “This investment recognizes those challenges and puts resources where they’re needed most.”

Bonner General Health in Sandpoint was one of the largest recipients in North Idaho, being awarded $5.8 million to fund two different projects.

They were given approximately $3.69 million to support a multispecialty healthcare suite along with another $2.12 million for improvements to its Meditech technology system.

Benewah Community Hospital in St. Maries is benefitting from the grants too, receiving approximately $6.65 million for a clinic modernization project to strengthen their healthcare infrastructure.

Traditional hospitals and clinics are not the only form of healthcare getting a boost. Shine Dental Co., a mobile dental clinic. After receiving $1.53 million from the Rural Health Transformation Program, they will add Kootenai, Bonner and Benewah counties to their planned area of reach after serving Latah County.

“The Rural Health Transformation program funds present a unique opportunity to embrace technology and innovative care models so we can overcome distance, connect patients with providers, and find new ways to deliver care in our rural communities,” State Representative Jordan Redman said, who is co-chair of the Idaho Rural Health Task Force. “Together, we are building lasting solutions that improve access and strengthen health care for Idaho families for years to come.”

The program also includes investments in healthcare technology, workforce recruitment and retention, chronic disease prevention and partnerships between medical providers.

“Rural Idaho knows its healthcare needs better than anyone,” Idaho State Senator Julie VanOrden said, another co-chair of the Idaho Rural Health Task Force. “This funding gives our communities the opportunity to strengthen local hospitals, recruit and keep health care professionals, and invest in practical solutions that will make a difference for years to come. I'm proud of the work that brought us to this point, and I'm excited to see these investments improve care for Idaho families across our state.”

The Coeur d’Alene Tribe of Idaho received $2,316,125.15 and the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho received $469,592.27 as well to aid in their tribal health initiatives.

Looking ahead to the second year of the program, additional investments are expected to be made to support healthcare services in rural Idaho.

“This funding gives Idaho the flexibility to pursue solutions that are shaped by rural communities themselves,” DHW Director Juliet Charron said. “By listening to providers, patients and local leaders, the state can make targeted investments that support sustainable, high-quality care closer to home.”