Houston Daily

Governor Greg Abbott spoke at the Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals (TORCH) fall conference in Austin, where he ceremonially signed House Bill 18 and House Bill 3000 into law. These measures aim to address healthcare challenges in rural parts of Texas.

"The hardworking people in rural Texas provide the food, fuel, and fiber that all Texans depend on," said Governor Abbott. "It is essential that we do more for rural Texas and rural healthcare. That is why we made one of the largest investments ever for mental health hospitals and facilities to cover the entire Panhandle and the Uvalde community. This funding will make Texas more efficient in delivering preventative healthcare. Here today, together through House Bill 18 and House Bill 3000, we are dramatically improving healthcare in rural Texas."

The event drew over 350 healthcare leaders and advocates for rural communities. During his remarks, Abbott referred to a recent roundtable with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which focused on initiatives for improving healthcare access in these regions. He credited investments by both the Trump Administration and the Texas Legislature for expanding resources available to support health needs in rural areas.

Abbott also expressed appreciation for those working in rural communities, noting their contributions to the state's economy.

Among those present at the signing were Senator Charles Perry, Representative Ken King, Representative Gary VanDeaver, TORCH Chair Lorenzo Serrano, TORCH Interim CEO Terry Scoggin, as well as other leaders from the healthcare sector.

House Bill 18 establishes strategic planning efforts and allocates funding intended to keep rural hospitals and clinics operational under what is called the Rural Health Stabilization and Innovation Act.

House Bill 3000 creates a grant program managed by the state Comptroller’s office to offer financial aid to ambulance service providers operating within rural counties.