HHSC Announce $60 Million In Federal Funding To ‘Make Rural Texans Healthy Again’
April 23, 2026 – AUSTIN, Texas — Greg Abbott announced Thursday that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission will distribute $60 million in initial federal funding to rural hospital districts, launching a new effort aimed at improving health outcomes across underserved communities.
The funding, part of the state’s broader Rural Texas Strong plan, will support the “Make Rural Texans Healthy Again” initiative. The program focuses on expanding access to preventive care, wellness programs, and nutrition services in rural areas where residents often face limited healthcare options.
“Every community in Texas deserves to have a health system that works as hard as them,” Abbott said in a statement. “This funding will help ensure critical services are available to keep Texans healthy and strong.”
According to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), eligible hospital districts can use the funds for a range of community-based projects. These include opening wellness centers that offer exercise and nutrition classes, supporting local food systems such as grocery stores and farmers markets, and establishing after-hours primary care clinics to reduce unnecessary emergency room visits. The initiative also prioritizes low- or no-cost screenings for chronic conditions.
State health officials say the program is designed to address widespread issues in rural regions, including diabetes, heart disease, respiratory illness, and obesity.
“Improving health outcomes in rural Texas starts with prevention,” said Stephanie Muth. “This initiative empowers communities to take meaningful steps toward lifelong health.”
Texas expects to receive approximately $1.4 billion over five years through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Rural Health Transformation Program. Officials noted the funding is contingent on meeting federal requirements, with additional grant opportunities and public notices to be released in the coming months.
