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North Dakota lawmakers are preparing to convene a special session next Wednesday to authorize nearly $200 million in federal rural health care funding, according to the North Dakota Monitor.
Governor Kelly Armstrong called the session to allocate a $199 million grant from the federal Rural Health Transformation Program. The funding is part of a five-year initiative aimed at offsetting Medicaid losses and strengthening rural medical infrastructure.
Other items on the agenda are:
A bill allowing pharmacists to order lab tests and prescribe medications for common conditions like the flu, strep throat, and UTIs. There is some concern for safety with this potential change.
Legislation to join a licensure compact for physician assistants.
New requirements for doctors to take an hour to learn about healthy eating, and requirements for K-12 students to take the presidential fitness test.
The planned budget would allocate $33.4 million to technology, $116 million to expand rural healthcare, $32.2 million to remedy workforce issues, and $17.1 million in promotion of healthy lifestyles. 0
Beyond the health funding, lawmakers may revisit a proposal for universal free school meals. Representative Mike Nathe of Bismarck is drafting a bill for consideration, though legislative leaders say they want to keep the three-day session “laser-focused” on the federal health dollars.
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