South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden signed HB 1043 into law Feb. 25, a bill aimed at supporting rural healthcare recruitment.
The measure appropriates funds to reimburse healthcare professionals who have complied with the requirements for rural recruitment assistance programs, according to a Feb. 25 news release from Gov. Rhoden’s office.
More than $978,000 has been appropriated from the general fund to the Department of Health to reimburse four family physicians, two physician assistants and six nurse practitioners who met the program’s requirements, according to the most recent version of the bill. An additional $370,000 from the general fund has been appropriated to reimburse eligible healthcare professionals who have met the requirements.
Gov. Rhoden previously signed HB 1044, which authorizes funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program as part of broader rural healthcare efforts.
Healthcare accounts for 16% of all employees at privately owned establishments and nearly 20% of payrolls across the state in 2024, according to an August 2025 report from the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation. More than 1,000 registered nurse jobs in the state are projected to be open annually through 2032.
“Our rural communities are the heartbeat of South Dakota, and ensuring they have access to quality healthcare will continue to be a priority of my administration,” Gov. Rhoden said in the release. “By recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals across our state, we will strengthen our hospitals, support providers, and protect the health of our communities.”
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