SANDPOINT — State officials announced Wednesday that Bonner General Hospital is slated to receive more than $5.8 million in federal Rural Health Transformation Program funding.

The Sandpoint hospital will receive about $3.69 million to support a multi-specialty healthcare suite and about $2.12 million to support a Meditech-related technology investment.

"We appreciate the state's commitment to strengthening rural healthcare and look forward to putting these investments to work for the benefit of our patients and community," John Hennessy, Bonner General Health CEO, said.

Hennessy said hospital officials are grateful to Gov. Brad Little, the state and the Rural Health Transformation Program for awarding funding to support the two important initiatives.

"The multi-specialty procedure suite will expand our ability to provide outpatient procedures locally, improve access to care, and increase operating room capacity for more complex surgical cases," Hennessy said. 

The CEO said the projects have been strategic priorities for several years, and the RHTP funding is critical to making them happen.

"For a rural hospital, investments like these are especially meaningful because they help ensure patients can access high-quality care close to home while providing our healthcare teams with the tools and resources they need to deliver that care effectively," Hennessy said. 

The Kootenai Tribe of Idaho also received grants in the region, including $469,592.27. The Coeur d'Alene Tribe of Idaho receives $2,316,125.15.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little announced the grants, totaling roughly $186 million, Wednesday as part of the program's first year of funding, which aims to strengthen and modernize health care in rural communities.

Idaho distributed the first year's awards in line with its plan, which focused on benefits for Idaho citizens through hospital networks, shared infrastructure, regional programs, and mobile services.

The funds are part of nearly $1 billion awarded to Idaho over five years by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to improve rural health care. The funds come from H.R. 1, The Working Families Tax Cuts Act.

Little said that nearly all of Idaho’s counties are considered rural, and many communities face challenges related to access, workforce shortages, financial sustainability, and distance from care. The funding is intended to address those challenges.

Task force members said the funding gives Idaho's communities a chance to strengthen local hospitals, recruit and keep health care professionals, and invest in practical solutions.

Rep. Jordan Redman, co-chair of the Idaho Rural Health Task Force, agreed, noting the program presents a unique opportunity to embrace technology and innovative care models to deliver care in our rural communities.

"Together, we are building lasting solutions that improve access and strengthen health care for Idaho families for years to come," Redman said.