Gov. Greg Abbott announced Nov. 10 that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission will receive $281 million in federal funding for the second year of Rural Texas Strong, a five-year initiative to improve rural health care throughout the state, according to a news release from the governor’s office.
Rural Texas Strong is the state plan approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and it is 100 percent federally funded, the release said. The program features six initiatives intended to help rural communities improve access to health care. The year-two funding follows a series of first-year Rural Texas Strong grant announcements the governor’s office and HHSC made in October, according to earlier state releases.
“This $281 million will deliver critical resources for patients and facilities in rural Texas,” said Abbott. “Providers will recruit and retain personnel, upgrade equipment and facilities, and expand preventative care so rural Texans receive the healthcare they need close to home.”
“Rural Texas Strong laid a strong foundation for improving access to care in rural communities,” said HHS Executive Commissioner Stephanie Muth. “We look forward to building on that momentum in year two and continuing to bring healthcare closer to home through trusted local providers who serve their neighbors.”
HHSC will use a competitive process to allocate the funds, according to the release. The initiatives are designed to reduce chronic disease through prevention, wellness and nutrition services; invest in consumer-facing technology that engages patients in improving their health; deploy artificial intelligence and telehealth services to bridge gaps in service; recruit and retain rural health care workers through career development, scholarships, relocation payments and training programs; strengthen cybersecurity defenses to protect patient data; and upgrade equipment in rural hospitals and clinics.
Eligible providers may apply for the initiatives beginning in November, and public notices and procurement opportunities will be announced through GovDelivery email notifications, the governor’s office said. The release noted that federal funding is contingent upon meeting all applicable program requirements. Additional information is available on HHSC’s Rural Health Transformation webpage.