Governor Greg Abbott attended the Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals (TORCH) fall conference in Austin, where he spoke to over 350 healthcare leaders and rural advocates. During the event, Governor Abbott ceremonially signed House Bill 18 and House Bill 3000 into law, both aimed at improving healthcare services in rural areas of Texas.
“The hardworking people in rural Texas provide the food, fuel, and fiber that all Texans depend on,” said Governor Abbott. “It is essential that we do more for rural Texas and rural healthcare. That is why we made one of the largest investments ever for mental health hospitals and facilities to cover the entire Panhandle and the Uvalde community. This funding will make Texas more efficient in delivering preventative healthcare. Here today, together through House Bill 18 and House Bill 3000, we are dramatically improving healthcare in rural Texas.”
Governor Abbott also discussed his recent meeting with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which focused on initiatives to improve rural healthcare alongside industry stakeholders from across Texas. He credited recent investments by both the Trump Administration and the Texas Legislature with expanding access to support for healthcare needs in rural communities.
The event included participation from Senator Charles Perry, Representative Ken King, Representative Gary VanDeaver, TORCH Chair Lorenzo Serrano, TORCH Interim CEO Terry Scoggin, as well as other leaders from the healthcare sector.
House Bill 18—known as the Rural Health Stabilization and Innovation Act—provides strategic planning resources and funding intended to help ensure long-term sustainability for hospitals and clinics serving rural areas.
House Bill 3000 establishes a grant program managed by the Comptroller’s office to give financial assistance to ambulance providers operating in rural counties.
Additional photos from the event are expected to be released when available.
