NCDHHS, NCDIT announce rural health technology programs
RALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the North Carolina Department of Information Technology have announced three programs aimed at improving digital infrastructure for rural health care.
The programs are part of the state’s Rural Health Transformation Program digital health and technology initiative, funded by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. NCDHHS listed the announcement as published Wednesday, June 24.
The announcement is statewide in policy impact because it involves state health and technology agencies, federal funding and rural health infrastructure. The agencies said the programs are designed to improve digital solutions and tools used in rural health care.
The Rural Health Transformation Program has been a recurring statewide health policy issue in North Carolina. Earlier NCDHHS announcements described the program as part of broader work to improve access to care in rural communities. NCDHHS has also announced related workforce and rural health support initiatives under the program, including $10 million for EMS workforce support and the selection of NC ROOTS Hub leads to strengthen rural health care across the state.
The June 24 digital health announcement is distinct from local grant or project awards because it involves statewide implementation of health technology infrastructure through two state agencies. NCDHHS said the partnership advances statewide implementation of the Rural Health Transformation Program’s digital health and technology initiative.
Rural health policy has become a major state government issue because access to providers, transportation, technology and behavioral health services varies widely across North Carolina. Digital infrastructure programs can affect providers, health systems and patients by shaping how rural residents access care, how health data is shared and how providers connect with state-supported systems.
The announcement should be handled as a statewide health care infrastructure and technology policy item. It is not a county-specific economic development item or a local health grant announcement.
Editor’s note: This article was drafted with the assistance of artificial intelligence and was reviewed and fact-checked by a member of the NC Political News editorial team before publication.
