BISMARCK — North Dakota Health and Human Services has launched a competitive funding opportunity aimed at expanding non-emergency medical transportation in rural communities, making roughly $2 million in federal money available to eligible providers to purchase accessible vehicles.
What the funding will support
The program — titled the Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Acquisition opportunity and administered through the North Dakota Rural Health Transformation Program — is intended to help rural hospitals, clinics and other qualifying health providers buy vehicles such as accessible vans and larger passenger vehicles equipped to carry wheelchair users. The state expects to award about four grants of roughly $500,000 each.
Applicants must show the transportation needs in their communities and how a newly acquired vehicle would improve access to care for the people they serve, including Medicaid members and rural tribal residents.
"You can’t benefit from healthcare if you can’t get there," HHS Commissioner Pat Traynor said. "For many North Dakotans, transportation is one of the biggest barriers to getting the care they need. These investments will help communities remove that barrier, making it easier for people to reach appointments, stay connected to care and achieve better health outcomes."
Who may apply and who is excluded
Eligible applicants listed by the state include:
- Rural hospitals
- Clinics
- Federally qualified health centers
- Non-federally operated Indian Health Service facilities
- Tribally operated 638 health facilities
All applicants must be enrolled Medicaid providers in good standing and must serve rural North Dakota residents. Tribal rural residents may also be served through approved projects.
The announcement specifically excludes organizations located within the metropolitan areas of Bismarck, Fargo, West Fargo and Grand Forks, which are considered urban for the purpose of this grant.
Federal partnership and program context
The funding comes through federal support for North Dakota’s rural health transformation work. In the announcement, federal officials highlighted the role of the program in translating state plans into local projects designed to strengthen rural health systems.
"The Trump Administration’s Rural Health Transformation Program is helping states like North Dakota turn bold plans into action with innovative, locally driven solutions to improve rural Americans’ access to high-quality care," CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said in the announcement.
Why transportation matters in rural health
Transportation is a well-documented barrier to accessing care in rural areas. Long distances to specialty clinics, limited or no public transit, and mobility challenges for elderly or disabled residents can delay or prevent routine and follow-up care. By funding accessible vehicles, the program targets both distance and mobility barriers, enabling patients to attend appointments and stay connected to ongoing treatment.
How applicants should prepare
Because the opportunity is acquisition-focused, applicants will need to:
- Document current gaps in non-emergency medical transportation and patient need in their service area
- Describe how a proposed vehicle type (for example, a wheelchair-accessible van) would address that need
- Demonstrate capacity to operate and maintain the vehicle once purchased
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total federal funding available | $2 million |
| Estimated number of grants | About 4 |
| Approximate grant size | About $500,000 each |
| Ineligible service areas | Bismarck, Fargo, West Fargo, Grand Forks |
Local impact and next steps
For rural providers, this opportunity could fund complete vehicle purchases rather than smaller subsidies, enabling organizations to plan for expanded routes, accommodating equipment and potential coordination with Medicaid transportation services. The priority for applicants should be clear demonstration of community need and a sustainable plan to operate new vehicles, including maintenance and staff or contractor drivers.
Health and Human Services has released application details as part of the larger rural health transformation effort. Providers interested in applying should consult the state HHS website and program materials for application deadlines, submission requirements and technical assistance.
This funding round is one of several federal and state efforts aimed at reducing access barriers in rural North Dakota. If awarded, the vehicles could help shorten the distance between patients and care, a practical step toward improving health outcomes where travel is often the first hurdle.
