North Carolina launches strategic health plan and $20M rural fund

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has unveiled an updated four-year strategic plan focused on strengthening community partnerships and ensuring access to essential services. Secretary Dev Sangvai stated the plan provides a clear path for navigating an evolving environment to create a healthier and more resilient state.

Key priorities include delivering essential services through the coordinated implementation of NC Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and childcare services. Additionally, the department aims to transform rural health by strengthening programs like the North Carolina Rural Health Transformation Program.

To support these goals, Governor Josh Stein announced the creation of a $20 million Rural Health Innovation Fund. Managed by NCDHHS and the Department of Information Technology, the fund will be distributed over five years to improve technology and infrastructure in rural clinics and health centers. The initiative specifically targets areas where residents, particularly seniors and low-income families, face long travel distances for medical care. Applications for the first round of funding are open until November 16, with selected projects to be announced in January 2027.