News

In recognition of National Energy Assistance Day on Feb. 2, North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) and the North Dakota Department of Commerce are encouraging North Dakotans who need help keeping their homes warm to apply for the Low  Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking public comment on the five-year renewal of its Medicaid 1915(c) waiver for medically fragile children. Public comment will be accepted from Jan. 28 through Feb. 26, at 5 p.m. CT.

Gov. Kelly Armstrong signed legislation positioning North Dakota to launch its Rural Health Transformation Program, backed by nearly $200 million in federal funding to strengthen rural health care statewide. 

Calling rural health care a generational opportunity, Governor Kelly Armstrong used his State of the State address to urge bold action as lawmakers consider nearly $200 million in federal funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program administered by the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services.

Every 4.5 minutes, a baby is born with a major birth defect in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Birth defects include structural differences and disorders present at birth. They are costly and can affect any family. They also range from mild to serious and include critical conditions that can cause lifelong health challenges affecting almost any part of the body, such as the heart, brain or limbs.

 North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) encourages residents to take precautions as influenza activity remains high with newly reported influenza-associated hospitalizations and deaths. 

Nearly 75% of rural counties in North Dakota are designated primary care shortage areas. One key strategy to become the healthiest state in the nation involves increasing access to health care by building a strong health care workforce – especially in rural areas.  

To address rural workforce needs, North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) helps qualifying health care professionals connect with job opportunities where they can receive student loan debt relief while caring for underserved populations in North Dakota. HHS is accepting applications beginning Monday, Jan. 5, through Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, from qualifying health, behavioral health and dental health professionals.

Gov. Kelly Armstrong today announced that North Dakota has been awarded $199 million from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to support the first year of a statewide Rural Health Transformation Program. The funding will strengthen rural health care by improving access, quality and health outcomes for North Dakotans in rural communities over the next five years.

North Dakota has received federal approval for a SNAP food-choice waiver—an important step toward improving health outcomes statewide. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins approved the waiver as part of the Make America Healthy Again initiative, enabling states to align SNAP purchases more closely with nutritious food options starting in 2026. Gov. Kelly Armstrong and HHS leaders say the change will support healthier families, reduce chronic disease, and advance North Dakota’s goal of becoming the healthiest state in the nation.

HHS offices in Williston, Devils Lake, Minot, Rolla, Jamestown and Valley City today Dec. 9, will have a two-hour delayed opening