Texas will receive $281 million in federal funding for the second year of Rural Texas Strong, a five-year initiative designed to improve health care access, modernize medical facilities and strengthen the rural health care workforce.
Gov. Greg Abbott announced the award, which will be administered by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) through a competitive funding process.
The funding will support six initiatives focused on preventive care, medical technology, workforce development, cybersecurity and infrastructure improvements at rural hospitals and clinics.
Rural Texas Strong is part of the federally funded Rural Health Transformation Program and operates under a state plan approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
The initiative is intended to address challenges facing rural health care providers, including workforce shortages, limited access to specialized services, aging medical equipment and gaps in preventive care.
Under the second-year funding allocation, HHSC will solicit proposals for projects addressing six priorities.
One initiative will support programs aimed at reducing chronic disease through preventive health care, wellness services and improved nutrition.
Another will fund consumer-facing technologies that help patients monitor their health, access medical information and participate more actively in managing their care.
The state also plans to support artificial intelligence (AI) and telehealth applications intended to expand access to medical services in communities where specialized providers or health care facilities may be limited.
Workforce development will be another major focus. Eligible projects may include scholarships, relocation assistance, professional training and career development programs designed to recruit and retain health care workers in rural communities.
Additional funding will support cybersecurity improvements to protect patient information and strengthen the security of rural health care systems.
The final initiative will finance equipment upgrades at rural hospitals and clinics, helping providers modernize facilities and improve their ability to deliver medical services locally.
HHSC Executive Commissioner Stephanie Muth said the second year of funding will build on the program’s initial investments.
The $281 million allocation is fully federally funded, with continued support contingent on compliance with applicable program requirements.
HHSC plans to begin accepting applications from eligible health care providers this month.
Photo by Pixabay from Pexels
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