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Texas has taken a step to enhance rural health care by submitting an application for federal funding under the Rural Health Transformation Program. Governor Greg Abbott announced that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has sent its proposal to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The program, established through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed by President Donald J. Trump, will provide $50 billion over five years to states that qualify.
“Rural health care is critical for the continued health and well-being of Texans across our great state," said Governor Abbott. “To keep Texas thriving, we must strengthen our rural hospitals, expand access to critical mental and physical health care, and help reduce chronic disease through wellness and nutrition initiatives. Working with our federal partners, we will ensure Texans from every corner of the state have greater access to the quality health care services they need and deserve.”
“HHSC is committed to using this opportunity to modernize rural health care throughout Texas,” said HHS Executive Commissioner Cecile Erwin Young. “We look forward to working alongside communities to build a stronger rural health care system for the future.”
The HHSC’s application, titled “Rural Texas Strong: Supporting Health and Wellness,” seeks federal support for several strategies aimed at improving access in rural areas. These include grants focused on prevention, wellness, and nutrition; investments in technology that engage patients in their own health management; expansion of artificial intelligence and telehealth services; efforts to recruit and retain rural healthcare workers through training programs and incentives; improved cybersecurity protections; and upgrades of medical equipment in rural facilities.
In preparing its submission, HHSC collected feedback from more than 300 written public comments via survey. Agency staff also met with local officials during regional visits across Texas, and held a public session where over 80 oral comments were received.
States are expected to learn about their approved funding amounts from CMS by December 31. Once funds are allocated, HHSC plans to use a competitive process for distributing resources among eligible recipients.
For additional details about the application “Rural Texas Strong: Supporting Health and Wellness,” information is available on the HHS website.