BOISE, ID — Governor Brad Little has signed Executive Order 2025-08, titled the “Making Rural Idaho Healthy Again Act,” establishing a new task force to support Idaho’s application for federal funding under the Rural Health Transformation Program.

The state is requesting $200 million per year over five years — totaling $1 billion — to improve healthcare access, quality, and outcomes across Idaho’s rural communities. The program was created through President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill and allocates $50 billion nationwide to assist states in modernizing and strengthening rural healthcare systems.

“Idaho is a mostly rural state, and we are grateful for the significant investments President Trump and Congress have committed to improving healthcare access, quality, and outcomes,” Governor Little said in the release. “The Idaho Rural Health Task Force introduces a new level of collaboration and expertise as we prepare to submit Idaho’s application for this transformative new program.”

Half of the $50 billion in available federal funds will be evenly distributed among approved states, while the remaining portion will be awarded based on factors such as population in rural areas, the number of rural healthcare facilities, and the financial health of hospitals.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is drafting the state’s grant application, due November 5. Officials expect to learn how much funding Idaho will receive by December 31, 2025.

More information about the Rural Health Transformation Program is available on the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s website at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov.