Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday announced that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission will get $281 million from the federal government for the second year of the Rural Texas Strong initiative. The five-year program aims to improve rural healthcare access across the state.
According to the governor’s office, the funding will help local providers recruit and retain personnel, upgrade facilities, and expand preventative care. “This $281 million will deliver critical resources for patients and facilities in rural Texas,” Abbott said.
The Rural Texas Strong state plan is approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and is fully funded by the federal government. The commission will use a competitive process to distribute the funds across six initiatives to improve rural healthcare access.
The initiatives include reducing chronic disease through prevention and nutrition services, investing in consumer-facing technology, and deploying artificial intelligence and telehealth services to bridge care gaps. Grants will also fund healthcare worker recruitment and retention through scholarships, training programs, and relocation payments. Additional funds will be used to improve cybersecurity defenses and upgrade equipment in rural clinics and hospitals.
Eligible providers can begin applying for the initiatives in November, the governor’s office said. Public notices and procurement opportunities will be announced through the state’s GovDelivery email notification system. Federal funding is contingent upon meeting all applicable program requirements.