Gov. Rhoden Strengthens Emergency Medical Services Through RHT Grants

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 3, 2026

Contact: Josie Harms

Gov. Rhoden Strengthens Emergency Medical Services Through RHT Grants

PIERRE, S.D. - Governor Rhoden announced approximately $7.2 million in Rural Health Transformation (RHT) funding for 25 projects aimed at strengthening Emergency Medical Services (EMS) across South Dakota.

"In emergency situations, every minute matters, and South Dakotans depend on our EMS professionals to answer the call," said Governor Larry Rhoden. "These investments will strengthen the workforce, technology, training, and partnerships that support emergency responses across our state. And they will help ensure South Dakotans have access to reliable emergency care close to home."

The awards are part of the state's Enhancing Sustainable Emergency Medical Services initiative and will support EMS workforce recruitment and training, leadership development, regional collaboration, communications and dispatch improvements, technology and data integration, telemedicine, clinical quality improvement, and other efforts to strengthen the long-term sustainability of EMS across the state. South Dakota's broader EMS initiative focuses on building a modern, connected, and sustainable system that improves emergency care in rural, Tribal, and frontier communities.

"CMS is proud to work with states like South Dakota to deliver innovative, locally driven solutions as part of President Trump's Rural Health Transformation Program," said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. "These awards demonstrate how this historic investment is empowering rural communities to expand access to high-quality care, strengthen local healthcare capacity, and build more sustainable rural health systems that can serve communities for years to come."

"South Dakota's EMS system depends on strong local services working together across long distances and with limited resources," said South Dakota Department of Health Secretary Melissa Magstadt. "These projects invest in the people, partnerships, technology, and infrastructure that EMS agencies need to provide timely, high-quality care and build a more sustainable system for the future."

The EMS investments are part of South Dakota's RHT initiative, a five-year effort focused on improving access to care, strengthening the healthcare workforce, modernizing technology, and supporting sustainable rural health systems. Governor Rhoden previously signed HB 1044 to appropriate funding for the RHT Program. You can find more information about Rural Health Transformation efforts in South Dakota here.

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