# CMS Funds South Dakota EMS Technology

On October 2, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced **$7.2 million in FY2026 Rural Health Transformation Program funding** for 25 South Dakota-led projects. The projects will expand ambulance-based telemedicine, train EMS workforces, improve patient-data sharing, upgrade dispatch and communications systems, and support quality improvement. The announcement does not identify solicitations, awardees, or a procurement schedule, so it signals potential downstream state and local demand rather than an open federal contract opportunity.

- The funding sits within South Dakota’s reported allocation of over $189 million across five years; the $7.2 million supports the 25 projects announced for FY2026.
- Providers of telemedicine and communications technology, data-sharing integration, EMS training, and related implementation support may find opportunities as state and local plans are put into effect.
- Companies should use state and local implementation plans as the source for identifying specific requirements and procurement routes; no solicitation or deadline is stated in the announcement.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Healthcare, Information Technology
**Topics:** Grants & Funding, Digital Infrastructure
**Published:** October 03, 2026

### Government Entities
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
- State of South Dakota

### Key Quotes
> Our focus now is on making sure this early progress translates into lasting results for rural patients and more resilient, sustainable health systems in the years ahead.
> — Mehmet Oz, CMS Administrator

> These investments will strengthen the workforce, technology, training, and partnerships that support emergency responses across our state.
> — Larry Rhoden, Governor of South Dakota

> The Rural Health Transformation Project’s investment in rural and tribal EMS will strengthen emergency response and long-term stability of emergency services to ensure help is there when people need it most.
> — Dusty Johnson, U.S. Representative

### Sources
- [Trump Administration Announces $7.2 Million to Expand Ambulance-Based Telemedicine and Upgrade Emergency Communications Across South Dakota | CMS](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-announces-7-2-million-expand-ambulance-based-telemedicine-upgrade-emergency) - CMS