By Kingsville Independent News Staff
AUSTIN — Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) submitted an application to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for the Rural Health Transformation Program, which will allocate $50 billion in federal funding over five years to approved states.
“Rural health care is critical for the continued health and well-being of Texans across our great state,” Abbott said. “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.”
The funding, authorized under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, aims to strengthen rural health care across Texas by expanding access to mental and physical health services, reducing chronic disease, and supporting rural hospitals.
“HHSC is committed to using this opportunity to modernize rural health care throughout Texas,” HHS Executive Commissioner Cecile Erwin Young said. “We look forward to working alongside communities to build a stronger rural health care system for the future.”
The HHSC application, titled “Rural Texas Strong: Supporting Health and Wellness,” outlines strategies including:
- Grants for chronic disease prevention, wellness, and nutrition
- Telehealth and AI technology to improve access
- Recruitment and retention programs for rural health workers
- Equipment upgrades and improved cybersecurity for rural hospitals
HHSC gathered input through public surveys, regional meetings, and an October comment session to shape the application. CMS is expected to notify states of approved funding by Dec. 31, 2025. For more information on the Rural Texas Strong program, visit the HHSC website.