The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has put together a new plan aimed at transforming rural health care. They are asking the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for $200 million in federal funding, which they believe will significantly improve health services across 85% of North Carolina’s counties.
Governor Josh Stein highlighted the plan’s goal: to ensure high-quality and affordable health care is available to all North Carolinians, no matter where they live. During National Rural Health Day, he celebrated the state’s commitment to innovation in health care, especially for rural communities.
To create this plan, NCDHHS engaged with over 420 stakeholders, including rural hospitals, community health centers, local health departments, and residents. This broad involvement reflects a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by rural areas.
The plan outlines six key strategies:
- NC ROOTS Hub: A local center to connect medical, mental health, and social services.
- Prevention and Wellness: Enhanced programs for chronic disease management and nutrition.
- Mental Health Access: Increased services for mental health and substance use treatment.
- Workforce Investment: Support for recruiting and training rural health care professionals.
- Value-Based Care: Helping providers shift to models that focus on quality rather than just quantity of care.
- Technology Enhancement: Improving access to and quality of health care through technology.
Dev Sangvai, Secretary of NCDHHS, emphasized the crucial role of rural health care providers. They are vital to their communities, ensuring residents get the care they need when they need it.
Beyond this plan, North Carolina is expanding its Rural Nurse Loan Repayment Initiative, further demonstrating its commitment to rural health. With more than 3 million people living in rural areas of the state, these efforts aim to build a stronger health care system.
Experts believe that investing in rural health care can significantly improve overall community well-being. According to a 2022 report from the Rural Health Research Center, areas with robust health systems see better health outcomes, lower hospital admission rates, and higher patient satisfaction.
If this plan is approved, it could kick off in early 2026. For more details, you can visit the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services website here.
