Houston Daily

Governor Greg Abbott and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. held a roundtable with Texas rural healthcare stakeholders, followed by a press conference, to discuss efforts aimed at improving rural health outcomes in the state.

The discussion focused on the Rural Healthcare Transformation Program and strategies for enhancing healthcare access in rural areas. Governor Abbott referenced the Make Texas Healthy Again package, which he signed into law recently, aiming to help Texans make better-informed health and nutrition decisions. He also emphasized Texas’ collaboration with the Trump Administration and Secretary Kennedy to prioritize improvements in rural healthcare.

During the event, participants from across the rural healthcare sector discussed ongoing investments in both mental and physical health services throughout Texas. They highlighted legislative progress made during the 89th session that addressed gaps in maternity care, childcare, mental health services, and expanded grant programs for rural hospitals. The Governor stated there is more work ahead to ensure long-term improvements for Texans' health and safety.

"Our goal has to be to ensure that every corner of our state is going to be prepared to respond to the health care needs of their community," said Governor Abbott. "More than 190 counties are categorized as rural in this state, and they have more than 6 million Texans. We have an obligation to ensure that those communities are able to succeed. I want to thank Secretary Kennedy and President Trump for helping prioritize the rural regions of our state to ensure healthcare in rural regions improve."

“Governor Abbott, thank you for your dedication to rural health care providers in Texas,” said Secretary Kennedy. “And thank you, President Trump, for your brilliant One Big Beautiful Bill and its Rural Health Transformation provision, which delivers $50 billion in rural health support across the United States. We will strengthen and expand rural health like never before. That is my promise to rural communities, my promise to Texas, and my promise to the American people.”

At the press conference, both officials pointed out recent investments at both state and federal levels dedicated toward strengthening rural healthcare infrastructure. These include $300 million from state funds as well as $100 million per year over five years from federal sources supporting behavioral telehealth services, AI-driven innovations in healthcare delivery, and modernization of laboratory facilities serving rural populations.

Stakeholders present included leaders from hospital districts, community clinics, academic institutions specializing in public health initiatives for underserved areas, as well as representatives from relevant state agencies such as Texas Health and Human Services and the Department of State Health Services.