North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services

North Dakota rural health grant opportunities imminent as feds OK spending plan

Lawmakers on the Joint Appropriations Committee study legislation during a January special session convened to budget the first two years of the state’s Rural Health Transformation Program funding. (Photo by Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The federal government has approved most of North Dakota’s nearly $200 million plan implementing the first year of a massive rural…

Pembina County reports 10 new measles cases this week, North Dakota total rises to 21

BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Cases of measles in North Dakota nearly doubled this week to 21, including four people who needed to be hospitalized, according to the Department of Health and Human Services measles dashboard. The 10 new measles cases this week were reported in Pembina County, which increased its case total to 19 since early February. One…

North Dakota up to 6 measles cases, with jump in exposure sites in eastern counties

BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — North Dakota had six confirmed measles cases Monday and a growing list of potential exposure sites in the eastern portion of the state, the Department of Health and Human Services said. Pembina County reported five measles cases; three are adults, one is a child under age 5 and one is between 5 and 19…

North Dakota reports 2nd measles case of 2026

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR-KFGO) – The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is reporting one confirmed case of measles in Pembina County. It is the second measles case reported in North Dakota in 2026 and the first from Pembina County. The person was unvaccinated and likely acquired the infection within the state. They reported no recent out-of-state or…

North Dakota officials celebrate being among big winners in federal rural health funding

U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., discusses the $199 million awarded to North Dakota from the federal government as part of the Rural Health Transformation Program. At left is Gov. Kelly Armstrong and at right is Interim Health and Human Services Commissioner Pat Traynor. (Photo by Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK (North Dakota Monitor) — North Dakota U.S. Sen. John Hoeven and…

Budget shortfall will reduce North Dakota child care assistance for some families

BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services is reducing some of its child care subsidies for working families as the program faces an unexpected $35.5 million funding deficit. The state set aside $124.7 million for the program for the 2025-2027 budget cycle. Due to increased enrollment, however, the department now anticipates needing…

North Dakota submits proposal to ban candy, soda from food assistance

Candy and sugary drinks are displayed at a gas station in Bismarck on Oct. 14, 2025. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — North Dakota has submitted a request to the federal government to prohibit North Dakotans enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program from using their benefits to buy soft drinks, energy drinks or candy….

Partial food assistance benefits available in North Dakota

The Great Plains Food Bank, which works with food pantries across North Dakota, prepared for a surge in demand after federal funding was disrupted in November. On Thursday, the state announced that partial benefits would begin flowing to some households enrolled in the federal program. (Photo courtesy of Great Plains Food Bank)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The North Dakota…

North Dakota provides $1.5 million for food, federal aid programs

Interim Health and Human Services Commissioner Pat Traynor discusses how the state is working to fund a federal assistance program for new mothers and young children during the federal government shut down. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — North Dakota is using $1.5 million in Department of Health and Human Services general fund money to address food…