Fargo Standard

Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) convened a roundtable in Bismarck this week to discuss investments in rural health care and the impact of recent federal legislation on North Dakota communities. The event brought together state officials and industry leaders to examine the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Fund, which was established under the Working Families Tax Cuts Act.

“The Working Families Tax Cut Act established the Rural Health Transformation Fund, a landmark $50B investment in rural health care for states like North Dakota. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services launched the application for states to apply for this new funding less than a month ago, and I’m proud our state’s health leaders quickly developed a thoughtful application,” Fedorchak said. “The forward-looking approach and collaboration among our hospitals, clinics, and state agencies should serve as a model for the entire country.”

Discussion at the roundtable centered on how North Dakota is preparing its application for these funds, the need for ongoing health care reform, and the future of premium tax credits introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fedorchak highlighted that while long-standing Obamacare premium tax credits will remain after January 1, 2026, the enhanced credits enacted during the pandemic are set to expire at that time.

“These tax credits were never meant to be permanent—that’s why Congressional Democrats themselves set them to expire on January 1, 2026. Republicans are ready to find a responsible path forward as soon as Democrats vote to reopen the federal government. Tying government funding to these enhanced premium tax credits is a red herring, and the longer Democrats keep the government shut down, the longer it delays a solution,” Fedorchak added.

Fedorchak also raised concerns about a Democrat-supported Continuing Resolution, stating it would eliminate the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Fund and reverse reforms from the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. She outlined that reopening the government under current Democratic proposals would involve a $1.5 trillion spending increase and policy changes such as removing work requirements for certain Medicaid recipients, restoring free healthcare coverage for undocumented immigrants, eliminating Medicaid eligibility safeguards, reinstating minimum staffing mandates for nursing homes, and repealing the new rural health fund.

Attendees at the roundtable included North Dakota Medicaid Director Sarah Aker, House Majority Leader Mike Lefor, State Representatives Jon Nelson and Robin Weisz, State Senator Dick Dever, as well as representatives from Sanford Health, CHI St. Alexius Health, Essentia Health, North Dakota Hospital Association, North Dakota Long Term Care Association, North Dakota Center for Rural Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, CHAD, Insurance Regulation, North Dakota Medical Association, and the Deputy Insurance Commissioner.