North Dakota Rural Health Association

Happy National Rural Health Day!!! Thank you to the rural health care professionals throughout North Dakota keeping services local, accessible, and high quality! Rural communities are wonderful places to live and work, which is why nearly 61 million people – call them home. These small towns, farming communities, and frontier areas are places where neighbors know each other, listen to each other, respect each other, and work together to benefit the greater good. They are also some of the best places to start a business and test your “entrepreneurial spirit.” These communities are an economic engine that provides the rest of the country with a wealth of services and commodities.

The photo contest deadline has been extended to November 19. Submit your photos to be eligible for a prize! https://lnkd.in/gnR9ayB6

The North Dakota Rural Health Association Board of Directors strongly feels that Measure 4, which seeks to eliminate property taxes, needs to be defeated. Measure 4, if approved, will have detrimental effects on the future of healthcare, especially in the rural communities in North Dakota. The North Dakota tax department has recently estimated the cost of this measure at $3.1 billion per biennium. This means the legislature would need to secure a significant amount of funding, which would increase with each session, to support it. Entities that are reliant on state funding—such as hospitals, nursing homes, mental health services, ambulance providers, elder care facilities, and organizations serving individuals with disabilities—should anticipate substantial cuts or even the elimination of state funding in some cases. This reduction would occur every two years if Measure 4 passes. Furthermore, if the measure is enacted, the legislature would be legally obligated to prioritize its funding, likely diverting resources from these critical programs. The initial $3.1 billion cost is the initial estimate; it is expected to rise significantly in future sessions, putting even more programs at risk. We cannot afford to jeopardize our healthcare system. Our residents and patients deserve high-quality care. These existing property taxes represent an investment in the people of North Dakota and are essential for fostering a healthier state. Contrary to its supporters' claims, Measure 4 will not deliver the promised long-term benefits. Instead, it will threaten the state’s economic stability, reduce healthcare services, and undermine the well-being of North Dakota residents. Vote NO on Measure 4! ? North Dakota Rural Health Association Board of Directors

CDC’s new Rural Public Health Strategic Plan outlines CDC’s goals and direction for the next five years to improve the health quality in rural America. In a recent interview with the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, Dr. Diane Hall, Director of CDC’s Office of Rural Health, discussed the key priorities in the plan. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3BqFHHD

Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 NOSORH Awards! ?? We are excited to celebrate the amazing individuals and organizations making a difference in #RuralHealth. Your commitment to #rural communities exemplifies the true spirit behind the #PowerOfRural! ?? - ??? Alabama Department of Public Health ??? Center for Rural Health ??? Nightingale College

Help spread the word about the health issues you are working on at the Dakota Conference on Rural and Public Health next summer. proposals are due Oct. 15.

The Dakota Conference on Rural and Public Health is accepting submissions for oral and poster presentations for 2025! Presentations should feature community or research projects that facilitate collaboration between rural and public health entities and can be replicated. Deadline: October 15 Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/d3apAwCU

Tomorrow, Thursday, May 9 @ 3:00 pm Central! The NDRHA Communication/Membership Committee is excited to bring you our first educational webinar. "The Importance of Screening for Post-Partum Depression at Well-Child Visits," presented by Dr. Kathryn Obregon, a pediatrics specialist. Dr. Obregon is with CHI St. Alexius Health out of Bismarck. Continuing education credits will be offered for this webinar for NDHRA members or staff of a NDRHA member organization, and can be completed during the live webinar, or from watching the recording after the event. This is a benefit to being a member. Registration is required and a pre- and post-test will be made available as well. Register now: https://lnkd.in/gEHw-EH2 Please share this opportunity with your colleagues.

The NDRHA Executive Director had a chance to speak with Hillsdale Hospital on their first Rural Road Trip episode as part of their Rural Health Rising podcast!