Idaho Gov. Brad Little announced $186 million in first-year Rural Health Transformation Program grants, including awards for healthcare providers and tribal health initiatives serving North Idaho and nearby rural communities.
Bonner General Health in Sandpoint received $5.8 million for two projects. About $3.69 million will support a multispecialty healthcare suite, while $2.12 million will fund improvements to the organization’s Meditech technology system.
Benewah Community Hospital in St. Maries received approximately $6.65 million for clinic modernization. Shine Dental Co. was awarded $1.53 million for a mobile dental clinic. The company has served Latah County and plans to expand into Kootenai, Bonner and Benewah counties.
The Coeur d’Alene Tribe of Idaho received $2,316,125.15 for tribal health initiatives. The Kootenai Tribe of Idaho received $469,592.27 for similar initiatives.
The five-year federal program, administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, provides almost $1 billion in total funding. Its investment areas include healthcare technology, workforce recruitment and retention, chronic disease prevention and partnerships among medical providers.
“For many Idaho families, especially in rural areas, affordable, accessible healthcare is a real concern,” Little said.
Jordan Redman, a state representative and co-chair of the Idaho Rural Health Task Force, said the grants can support technology and new care models intended to connect rural patients with providers despite distance.
Additional rural Idaho healthcare investments are expected during the program’s second year.