AGP Executive Report

Rural Health Tech Funding: North Dakota HHS is offering about $500,000 per awardee to help rural providers modernize electronic medical record systems, aiming to improve care coordination and outcomes for both medical and behavioral health. Virtual Nursing Push: Smart hospital rooms are increasingly being used to support virtual nursing workflows, with virtual nurses handling tasks like admissions/discharges, education, medication reconciliation, and rounding—part of a broader effort to ease staffing shortages. Fireworks Safety: Minot Fire Department is reminding residents that fireworks are prohibited within city limits, and national data show fireworks send thousands to ERs each year, with kids and burn/eye injuries especially at risk. Air Quality & Smoke: North Dakota is seeing moderate air quality from wildfire smoke moving in from the Four Corners region, with officials urging caution as conditions can worsen. Medicaid Fraud Case: A behavioral health clinic owner and her daughter were sentenced in a fraud scheme tied to Medicaid billing in North Dakota and Wyoming, with restitution ordered. Health Workforce Watch: A new national projection flags rheumatologist shortages hitting nonmetropolitan areas hardest, with adequacy far lower outside metro regions.

Rural Health Tech Funding: North Dakota Health and Human Services is rolling out a new Rural Health Transformation funding opportunity to help rural providers strengthen and modernize electronic medical record systems, aiming to improve care coordination for both medical and behavioral health needs; about $500,000 per awardee is available in first-year support, with applications due July 29 and a technical assistance call set for July 8. Workforce Access Watch: A national analysis projects a major rheumatologist shortage hitting nonmetropolitan areas hardest, with only 18.5% of rheumatologists in nonmetro versus 99.3% in metro areas by 2037. Public Health & Safety: North Dakota air quality is mostly in the moderate range as smoke drifts in from the Four Corners, with health impacts rising as conditions worsen. Health Care Fraud: A Minnesota AG case charges a North Dakota resident with allegedly defrauding Medical Assistance of $156,000+ by using identities of licensed providers to bill for psychotherapy and alcohol/drug counseling. Community Health Events: NDSU Extension is set to host multiple field days (including dry bean field days) and a July 15 North Central Research Extension Center field day for practical, research-based updates.

Rural Health Funding: North Dakota HHS is opening two Rural Health Transformation Program opportunities—about $500,000 for rural hospital wellness equipment grants (roughly 10 awards) and another Electronic Medical Record Enhancement funding track to modernize EMR systems for rural providers, including critical access hospitals and certain tribal facilities; applications are due July 29 with a technical assistance call July 8. Behavioral Health & Kids: The state is also taking registrations for a Behavioral Health and Children and Family Services Conference in Bismarck (Sept. 14-17, with livestream), focused on suicide prevention, child welfare, and youth development. Care Access & Tech: North Dakota’s Northern Plains UAS Test Site is giving operators free access to Vantis capabilities for beyond visual line of sight flights starting July 1, with potential uses including medical services and agriculture. Court Watch: The North Dakota Supreme Court heard arguments on the state’s gender-affirming healthcare ban for minors, with challengers arguing it blocks life-saving care. Public Health Context: Health experts are warning about extreme heat risks as Independence Day events approach, including concerns about prolonged exposure during outdoor celebrations.

Rural Hospital Wellness Funding: North Dakota HHS is opening a competitive Hospital Wellness Equipment funding opportunity through the Rural Health Transformation Program, with about $500,000 available for roughly 10 rural hospital grants (around $50,000 each) to improve staff wellness—physical activity, mental well-being, social connection, and healthier workplace environments. Youth Mental Health Prevention: The Rural Health Transformation Program also targets youth mental health and stronger social connection in rural areas, including prevention-focused projects like “zero-hour” physical education before school to build routines and reduce phone time. Care for Complex Needs: Anne Carlsen has opened the Anne Carlsen Specialty Clinic in Jamestown, offering longer, coordinated primary and specialty care for children and young adults with developmental disabilities and complex medical needs in a sensory-friendly setting. UAS Access for Medical Services: The Northern Plains UAS Test Site is giving operators free access to Vantis capabilities starting July 1, including BVLOS flight support that could help expand use cases such as medical services. Heat Stress Guidance for Livestock: NDSU Extension is urging ranchers to prepare for heat stress starting around the Fourth of July weekend, using temperature-humidity risk guidance and action plans focused on water access and proactive management. Caregiving Spotlight: A new report highlights how North Dakota caregivers provide billions in unpaid care, emphasizing the emotional and practical strain—and the need for self-care—to prevent burnout.

Rural Mental Health Push: North Dakota’s Rural Health Transformation Program is rolling out prevention-first youth mental health efforts, including “zero-hour” physical education and a “Vision Zero” focus on teen suicide, with leaders pointing to the state’s high share of teens who’ve contemplated suicide and emphasizing real in-person connection. Wellness Funding for Schools: The state is also opening wellness equipment grants for rural and tribal schools, with funding aimed at measurable improvements in student physical activity, nutrition, mental well-being, and social connection; applications are due in late July. Wellness Funding for Rural Hospitals: A separate Rural Health Transformation funding opportunity targets critical access hospitals (including non-federally operated IHS hospitals) for wellness-focused equipment and supports, with a mid-July application deadline. Med School Pipeline: UND’s “North Dakota 85” initiative is nearing its goal to boost the share of North Dakota residents in its MD and PA programs, reporting strong first-year progress. SNAP Food Restrictions Fight: A federal judge struck down SNAP “unhealthy” food purchase limits in five states, raising questions about whether such rules help health outcomes for recipients; North Dakota is among states named in related litigation. Public Health & Safety: July 1 marks the start of fireworks season, and local guidance highlights steps to keep pets calm during loud celebrations.

Courts & Care Access: The North Dakota Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two linked fights over the state’s 2023 ban on gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth, with plaintiffs arguing it blocks life- and health-preserving care and defendants defending the law under the state constitution. State Health Funding: North Dakota HHS opened applications for a Rural Health Transformation Program grant to help rural hospitals buy wellness equipment aimed at reducing burnout and supporting the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of healthcare workers. School Wellness: A separate ND HHS funding opportunity is also open for rural and tribal schools to strengthen student physical and mental wellness through wellness equipment grants. Public Health Leadership: Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health Director Renae Moch was elected vice president of the National Association of County and City Health Officials board, starting July 1. Rural Health Workforce & Kids: Registration is open for North Dakota’s Behavioral Health & Children and Family Services Conference (Sept. 14-17) focused on behavioral health, child welfare, suicide prevention, and youth development. Animal Health & Safety: A Valley City water damage firm introduced a mold detection dog trained to sniff out mold materials, offering a new tool for homeowners dealing with flooding and mold concerns.

Behavioral Health & Kids Conference: North Dakota is opening registration for the Sept. 14-17 Behavioral Health & Children and Family Services Conference in Bismarck (with livestream), bringing together behavioral health, child welfare, suicide prevention, and youth development leaders. Public Health Leadership: Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health Director Renae Moch was elected vice president of the National Association of County and City Health Officials board, starting July 1. Skilled Nursing Expansion: PACS Group agreed to buy 34 skilled nursing facilities from Eduro Healthcare across six western states, including one in North Dakota, adding 3,633 beds. Cancer Focus: A roundup highlights the highest cancer rates nationally and points to lower survival in rural areas, underscoring the need for screening and access. Mold Detection Innovation: A Valley City water damage expert introduced a trained “mold detection dog” to help identify mold in homes and basements. Safe Haven Success Story: A Fargo family adopted “Cal,” a child with complex medical needs who was left at a North Dakota hospital under the Safe Haven Law. Community Health Funding: HHS awarded more than $11 million in grants across North Dakota for public health emergency preparedness, Head Start, and workforce programs. Local Public Health Business Support: The state awarded $600,000 to 15 Native American small businesses through a support program, including health-related providers. Heat Safety Reminder: A North Dakota lightning-safety explainer notes outdated “crouching” advice has been replaced by newer guidance.

Behavioral Health Conference: North Dakota is opening registration for the sixth annual Behavioral Health & Children and Family Services Conference (Sept. 14-17, Bismarck Event Center and livestream), bringing together behavioral health, child welfare, suicide prevention, and youth development leaders. Public Health Funding: HHS awarded more than $11 million in grants across North Dakota, including $5.21 million for public health emergency preparedness, major Head Start/early childhood funding, and support for geriatric workforce development at UND. Rural EMS Strain: The Rural Health Transformation Program is running into delays replacing ambulances, with officials saying timelines may force faster equipment upgrades and refurbishing instead of new purchases. Skilled Nursing Expansion: PACS Group agreed to buy 34 skilled nursing facilities from Eduro Healthcare across six western states, including one in North Dakota, totaling 3,633 beds. Community Wellness: Verity Health and Wellness launched “Flow with Purpose,” an outdoor yoga series in Grand Forks that pairs self-care with outreach for Northlands Rescue Mission. Local Health Policy: Ray, N.D., is considering an ordinance to ban kratom sales and possession, citing health concerns and age-access issues. Food Safety: The FDA upgraded a voluntary recall of certain Utz/Zapp’s and Dirty Brand potato chips to a Class 1 risk over possible Salmonella contamination. Water Safety: EPA announced $1.6 million in drinking-water grants for Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming, targeting upgrades and PFAS/lead concerns. Cancer Awareness: A national roundup highlights high cancer rates and lower survival in rural areas, underscoring the need for screening and care access. Veterans at Home: Virtual honor flights brought D.C. memorials to North Dakota veterans who couldn’t travel due to health limits.

Public Health Funding: HHS awarded $11.01M in grants across North Dakota for public health emergency readiness, Head Start/Early Head Start, diagnostic data improvements, and geriatric workforce support. Rural EMS Update: The ND Rural Health Transformation Program is running into trouble meeting deadlines for ambulance replacements, with officials leaning toward faster equipment upgrades and refurbishments instead of new trucks. Healthcare Workforce & Care Access: Minot State University received $110,631 to strengthen early hearing detection and intervention reporting, while UND’s geriatrics program got $1.02M to expand care for older adults. Community Health Infrastructure: EPA announced $1.6M in drinking-water grants for North Dakota and other states, targeting PFAS, lead sources, and local water system upgrades. Local Injury Report: A child cyclist in Ottertail County was struck by a vehicle; the child had apparent abrasions and declined transport. Business & Wellness Services: ND Commerce awarded $600,000 to 15 Native American-owned businesses, including Lakeside Dental and multiple behavioral health and chiropractic providers. Animal-Assisted Support: A Fargo-area family story highlights a golden retriever helping with Alzheimer’s-related safety and nighttime needs.

Public Health Funding: HHS announced more than $11M in grants for North Dakota, including $5.21M for the state’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness program and support for Head Start sites in Bismarck, Jamestown and Dickinson, plus UND’s geriatrics workforce boost. Drinking Water Upgrades: The EPA is sending $1.6M to improve drinking water infrastructure across several states, including North Dakota, with goals that include PFAS and lead source reduction. Early Hearing Support: Minot State University is set to receive $110,631 through CDC’s DD20-2006 program to strengthen Early Hearing Detection and Intervention tracking. Mental Health in Sports: Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota is launching “Strike out the Stigma,” donating $50 per home-team strikeout to a veterans-focused nonprofit during July. Alzheimer’s Caregiving: A Fargo-area family credits their golden retriever with helping monitor and support a loved one after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

Drinking Water Funding: The EPA is awarding $1.6 million to improve drinking water infrastructure in Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming, targeting PFAS, lead sources, and local Safe Drinking Water Act needs. Community Health Access: A Wisconsin report highlights how FoodShare/SNAP households can struggle to replace spoiled food after power outages—especially when verification steps are hard for people without easy access to printers. Local Caregiving & Dementia: A North Dakota family says their golden retriever helps with Alzheimer’s—alerting during night tremors and helping reduce wandering risk. Veteran Mental Health Through Sports: Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota’s “Strike Out the Stigma” returns in July, with donations tied to baseball/softball strikeouts to support veteran mental health resources. Health System Leadership: Essentia Health added four new board members, expanding governance experience as it navigates a changing care environment. North Dakota Research: NDSU and Sanford Health are launching GLP-1 research into real-world effects of weight-loss medications.

Mental Health in Sports: Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota is bringing back “Strike Out the Stigma,” partnering with baseball and softball teams statewide to raise money for veteran mental health via the Brady Oberg Legacy Foundation. Community Wellness Event: Grand Forks kicks off Fourth of July weekend with “701 Day,” featuring local vendors and family activities plus health-focused engagement from Blue Cross Blue Shield. Health System Leadership: Essentia Health added four new board members, expanding leadership experience as it navigates a changing care environment. Local Care Access: Red River Women’s Clinic launched a new patient fund, aiming to support care after abortion-related policy shifts. Research & Treatment Innovation: NDSU and Sanford Health launched a real-world study on GLP-1 medicine, focusing on outcomes beyond clinical trials. Suicide Prevention & LGBTQ+ Health: A Fargo-area advocate highlighted survey results suggesting many queer North Dakotans report good health and life satisfaction, while stressing suicide prevention needs multiple supports. Food Safety: Power Plate Meals recalled frozen meatloaf products shipped to ND and nearby states due to an undeclared soy allergen.

Mental Health in Sports: Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota is launching “Strike Out the Stigma” across July baseball and softball games, donating $50 to the Brady Oberg Legacy Foundation for every home-team strikeout to support veteran mental health and peer connection. Local Health & Safety: Ward County reported 11 alcohol compliance violations after underage purchase checks, with cases referred for possible criminal and licensing action. Healthcare Leadership: Essentia Health CEO Dr. David Herman was appointed to the Joint Commission’s Board of Commissioners, a national role focused on healthcare quality and patient safety. Community Wellness Event: Grand Forks will kick off Fourth of July weekend with “701 Day,” featuring family activities and health-focused community resources, including BCBSND involvement. Food Access & Nutrition: A James River Senior Center menu and meal logistics update highlights hot meal options, reservations, and transportation for older adults in Jamestown and nearby sites. Suicide Prevention & LGBTQ+ Support: A Fargo-area advocate shared new survey results suggesting many queer North Dakotans report good health and life satisfaction, while emphasizing suicide prevention needs remain multifactorial.

Rural EMS Funding Crunch: North Dakota’s Rural Health Transformation Program is rolling out, but ambulance replacements are getting stuck by long delivery timelines and federal spending deadlines that make big purchases hard to schedule. Hospital Quality Spotlight: Essentia Health–Virginia earned a four-star hospital quality rating from CMS, highlighting patient safety, outcomes, and experience. Drinking Water Grants: The EPA announced $1.6 million in grants for drinking water upgrades across North Dakota and neighboring states, including work to address PFAS and lead. Public Health Alert: CDC data show the U.S. has effectively lost measles elimination status, with 2,134 confirmed cases in 2026 and most infections among unvaccinated or unknown-status people. Community Mental Health: A White Shield walk for men’s mental health drew about 50 people, honoring a son’s death and pushing suicide prevention into the open. Alcohol Compliance Crackdown: Ward County found 11 establishments in violation after underage alcohol compliance checks, referring cases for possible sanctions. Local Care Access: Sanford Health and UND are teaming up for a Greater Grand Forks Legacy Football Camp focused on youth sports participation and training.

GLP-1 Research Push: Sanford Health and North Dakota State University launched a $210,000 study on real-world effects of GLP-1 obesity medications, aiming to track outcomes like weight change, body composition, balance and fall risk, quality of life, and health care use; enrollment is expected to open in late July. SNAP Accuracy Watch: North Dakota’s SNAP payment error rate hit 9.89% in 2025, above the 6% federal threshold, meaning the state may have to cover part of future costs; officials say it reflects administrative variances, not fraud, and point to modernization efforts. Rural Health Staffing Stress: Lemmon’s volunteer ambulance service in the region is at risk of shutting down due to severe staffing shortages, raising fears of a wider EMS “domino effect” if nearby services get overloaded. AI + Data Centers Oversight: A new North Dakota interim committee will study AI and data center impacts ahead of the 2027 Legislative session, focusing on how the tech is governed and incentivized, including effects on education and medical care. Sports Physicals Reminder: Essentia Health is encouraging families to schedule student-athlete sports physicals early, noting Minnesota and Wisconsin validity rules for the upcoming school year. Healthcare Workforce Recognition: North Dakota University System staff awards highlighted service excellence, including Minot State’s Richard Heit.

Supreme Court Health Impact: The U.S. Supreme Court sided with Bayer and blocked thousands of lawsuits over Roundup, saying states can’t require different cancer-warning labels when federal regulators don’t require them—an outcome that could also affect similar claims about other pesticide products. SNAP Accuracy in ND: North Dakota says it’s moving to cut SNAP payment errors after reporting a 9.89% state error rate in 2025, which could raise future cost-share risk; officials stress errors aren’t fraud and point to modernization efforts, including AI-focused infrastructure. GLP-1 Research in Fargo: Sanford Health and NDSU launched a $210,000 study on real-world outcomes of GLP-1 obesity drugs, looking beyond weight loss at body composition, balance/fall risk, substance use, quality of life, and health care use. AI in Rural Healthcare: UND’s medical school is exploring an AI hub to help rural providers build AI solutions, expand research partnerships, and train students in AI competencies. Food Security Support: A Vacation Bible School donation in Minot gave $1,023 to Backpack Buddies, funding 127 weekend food backpacks for kids who need support. Cancer Screening Reminder: Doctors are urging earlier screening as colorectal cancer rates rise in younger adults, with local clinicians saying they’re seeing cases in people in their 30s and 40s.