Governor Greg Abbott and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. met with rural healthcare stakeholders in Texas to discuss ongoing efforts to improve healthcare services in rural communities. The meeting included a roundtable discussion followed by a press conference.
The event focused on the Rural Healthcare Transformation Program and ways the state can continue improving health outcomes for Texans living in rural areas. Governor Abbott referenced the Make Texas Healthy Again package, which he signed into law the previous day, aimed at helping Texans make better-informed health and nutrition decisions. He noted that collaboration with the Trump Administration and Secretary Kennedy positions Texas as a leader in national rural healthcare initiatives.
Participants at the roundtable, including representatives from hospitals, clinics, mental health organizations, and state agencies, stressed the importance of continued investment in both mental and physical healthcare across Texas. They highlighted legislative successes from the 89th session that addressed gaps in maternity care, childcare, mental health services, and expanded grant programs for rural hospitals. Governor Abbott stated that more work remains to be done to support Texans’ health.
“Our goal has to be to ensure that every corner of our state is going to be prepared to respond to the health care needs of their community,” said Governor Abbott. “More than 190 counties are categorized as rural in this state, and they have more than 6 million Texans. We have an obligation to ensure that those communities are able to succeed. I want to thank Secretary Kennedy and President Trump for helping prioritize the rural regions of our state to ensure healthcare in rural regions improve.”
“Governor Abbott, thank you for your dedication to rural health care providers in Texas,” said Secretary Kennedy. “And thank you, President Trump, for your brilliant One Big Beautiful Bill and its Rural Health Transformation provision, which delivers $50 billion in rural health support across the United States. We will strengthen and expand rural health like never before. That is my promise to rural communities, my promise to Texas, and my promise to the American people.”
At the press conference following the roundtable, both officials emphasized recent investments at both state and federal levels targeting improvements for rural healthcare delivery systems. This includes $300 million allocated from state funds as well as $100 million annually over five years from federal sources directed toward behavioral telehealth services, artificial intelligence innovation in medicine, and upgrades of laboratory facilities serving rural areas.
Stakeholders who participated represented organizations such as Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals; Winkler County Hospital District; Anson General Hospital; Texas Association of Rural Health Clinics; Bluebonnet Trails Community Services; Harris Center for Mental Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities; Texas Association of Community Health Centers; Texas A&M Rural and Community Health Institute; Texas Tech University System; Texas Health and Human Services; Texas Department of State Health Services; as well as senior advisors from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Additional photos from this event will be made available when released.
