The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) President and CEO Tim Rave recently shared his perspective on the future of rural health care in South Dakota in an op-ed published by The Dakota Scout. In the piece, Rave highlights the challenges facing rural communities and outlines why South Dakota is well positioned to strengthen and sustain access to care through strategic investment and leadership. To read the full version of the article, found in the January 14, 2025 Dakota Scout Viewpoint, click here.
Rave’s Message
South Dakota Is Ready to Deliver for Rural Health
In rural communities across South Dakota and the nation, access to quality health care is under growing strain. Hospitals are closing, clinics are cutting services, and families are often forced to travel long distances for basic care — not because the need isn’t there, but because resources are stretched thin. At the same time, significant cuts to Medicaid under the One Big Beautiful Bill threaten to make this situation worse.
That’s why the recently established Rural Health Transformation Fund — a new federal initiative designed to strengthen rural health systems — matters so much for our state. This Fund aims to provide resources to help states invest in vital parts of the rural care system, from workforce recruitment and retention to modern telehealth tools and local emergency care capacity.
In South Dakota, leaders are positioning the state to make the most of this opportunity. Quick and effective distribution of these funds could help stabilize local hospitals and clinics, expand access to care close to home, and support the long-term sustainability of rural health infrastructure that is central to our small towns.
