Governor Greg Abbott attended the Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals (TORCH) fall conference in Austin, where he signed House Bill 18 and House Bill 3000 into law. The legislation aims to strengthen healthcare services in rural areas across Texas.
“The hardworking people in rural Texas provide the food, fuel, and fiber that all Texans depend on,” Governor Abbott said during his remarks. “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 spoke to more than 350 healthcare professionals and advocates at the event. He discussed a recent rural healthcare roundtable with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which included conversations with industry stakeholders about new initiatives for rural communities. Abbott also noted that federal investments from previous administrations, along with state legislative efforts, have expanded access to healthcare support for residents in rural parts of Texas.
Abbott expressed gratitude to workers in rural communities, describing them as vital contributors to the state’s economy.
The event was attended by Senator Charles Perry, Representative Ken King, Representative Gary VanDeaver, TORCH Chair Lorenzo Serrano, TORCH Interim CEO Terry Scoggin, and other leaders in the field.
House Bill 18 introduces strategic planning measures and funding designed to help sustain operations at rural hospitals and clinics throughout Texas. Meanwhile, House Bill 3000 creates a grant program managed by the Comptroller’s office to assist ambulance providers serving rural counties.
Additional photographs from the event are expected to be released later.
