Idaho gets $182.7 million for rural health care, a little less than last year

The second-year federal award ranks fortieth among the states. The state says Washington did not explain the drop, and no county-by-county split has been announced.

Idaho will receive about $182.7 million in the second year of a federal program meant to improve health care in rural areas, federal officials said Monday, Nov. 9. That is down from nearly $186 million in the first year, the Idaho Capital Sun reported.

No breakdown by county has been announced, so it is not yet known how much, if any, will reach Kootenai County.

WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM

Congress set aside $50 billion over five years for the Rural Health Transformation Program in 2025. Half of each year's money is split evenly among the states. The other half is awarded on a score that weighs each state's plans, its rural population and its health care facilities.

Idaho's second-year award ranked fortieth among the states, the Capital Sun reported. Texas received the most, nearly $282 million. Montana received $239.7 million.

WHY IT DROPPED

The state does not know. A spokesperson for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Greg Stahl, told the Capital Sun that federal officials did not give details, and that the department is reviewing the award and will update its plan and budget.

WHAT THE FIRST YEAR PAID FOR

The state said Oct. 28 that all of its first-year money had been awarded, to projects that include building improvements at rural hospitals, emergency medical equipment, training for health care workers and mobile clinics.