Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Oct. 22 that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) plans to award $8 million in Rural Texas Strong grants to 28 rural healthcare providers across the state, according to a news release from the governor’s office.
The funding is part of what the governor’s office called a historic investment of an estimated $1.4 billion in federal money over five years to improve rural healthcare in Texas. The $8,145,444.89 announced is a portion of the $281,319,360.67 first-year award HHSC received from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Rural Health Transformation Program, the release said.
“Your address should not determine the quality of care you receive,” Abbott said. “Rural Texas will not be left behind. This more than $8 million investment will expand access to care, strengthen facilities across Texas communities, and help to recruit and retain the next generation of healthcare professionals.”
CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz was also quoted in the release. “Investing in locally driven solutions is an important step toward achieving that vision for rural Texas and CMS is excited to partner with states to build stronger, more resilient rural health systems,” Oz said.
HHS Executive Commissioner Stephanie Muth said the money will help rural providers modernize facilities, improve care for people with chronic conditions, and attract and retain health care professionals.
The governor’s office said the awards advance three Rural Texas Strong initiatives. The “Make Rural Texans Healthy Again” initiative helps rural hospital districts improve outcomes for chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease and obesity. The “Next Generation of the Small Town Doctor and Team” initiative supports recruiting, training and retaining physicians, emergency medical professionals and other health care workers. The “Infrastructure and Capital Investments for Rural Texas” initiative supports replacing aging medical equipment and improving existing facilities.
According to the release, Rural Texas Strong is the CMS-approved state plan, is 100 percent federally funded through the Rural Health Transformation Program and includes six initiatives. Funding will be available after contracts are finalized and is contingent on meeting all applicable program requirements. A list of recipients and further information are available through HHSC’s Rural Health Transformation webpage, the release said.