North Dakota

Governor Armstrong dedicated his entire special session address to the $199 million first-year award from the Rural Health Transformation Program, noting nearly 75% of North Dakota's rural counties face primary care shortages. The plan focuses on four pillars: wellness promotion, workforce retention, expanding local access through telehealth and mobile clinics, and connecting technology and data. He emphasized the state would not build unsustainable programs, saying 'we are not constructing new buildings.'

Governor Armstrong focused his special session address on the $199 million federal Rural Health Transformation award but noted the importance of strong economic foundations. His remarks emphasized using federal investments wisely without creating unsustainable programs, reflecting fiscal conservatism in economic planning.

Governor Armstrong's address was narrowly focused on the Rural Health Transformation Program and did not substantively address public safety or crime policy.

Governor Armstrong's address focused specifically on the Rural Health Transformation Program and did not significantly address housing.

Governor Armstrong called a special session focused solely on authorizing $199 million in federal Rural Health Transformation funds, with a two-year appropriation authority to enable quick disbursement of Year 2 funding. He emphasized fiscal responsibility, noting the state would not construct new buildings or stand up unsustainable programs that become taxpayer obligations when federal funding expires.

Governor Armstrong's special session address focused on rural healthcare transformation, with technology playing a central role in the plan's fourth pillar: connecting technology and data to create a smarter, faster, more responsive healthcare system that meets people where they are, including telehealth, virtual medical rooms, and mobile clinics.

Governor Armstrong dedicated the entire special session address to the $199 million federal Rural Health Transformation Program award. The plan focuses on four pillars: promoting wellness through nutrition and exercise ('Make North Dakota Healthy Again'), strengthening rural healthcare workforce, expanding telehealth and mobile clinics, and connecting technology and data. He emphasized the funding would not be used for new buildings or unsustainable programs.

Governor Armstrong focused his special session address on rural health transformation, noting the $199 million federal award for year one of the Rural Health Transformation Program. While not a broad affordability address, he emphasized healthcare access as essential to quality of life, noting nearly 75% of rural counties face primary care shortages. He stressed the program would not create unsustainable spending obligations.