FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15, 2026

Contact: CMS Media Relations
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Trump Administration Announces $78 Million for Rural Healthcare Workforce, Chronic Disease Prevention, and Facility Upgrades Across Texas

These investments will support the rural health workforce, modernize aging equipment, and advance chronic disease prevention to keep quality care within reach for rural Texans.

Today, the Trump Administration announced $78 million in Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding to 216 rural healthcare providers through the Rural Texas Strong initiative to strengthen healthcare across rural Texas communities. This investment will support chronic disease prevention and improved health outcomes, rural healthcare workforce recruitment and retention, and medical equipment and facility improvements to expand access to state-of-the-art care across Texas.

This transformational funding will deliver $78 million directly to 216 rural healthcare providers, helping rural communities prevent and manage chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, and obesity. Other initiatives are focused on keeping the best aspects of a small-town medical practice by recruiting and retaining doctors, emergency medical personnel, and other healthcare workers. These investments will help rural Texas communities upgrade aging medical equipment and facilities, bringing modern, reliable care closer to home for rural Texans.

The Rural Health Transformation Program is expanding access to quality healthcare, regardless of a patient’s zip code, and equipping first responders with the lifesaving resources they need when every second counts. This funding will make critical investments to strengthen rural healthcare, expand access to lifesaving services, and bring modern technology to communities across Texas.

“President Trump understands that every American deserves high-quality healthcare, no matter where they live,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “We are putting resources directly into rural communities to strengthen the health workforce, modernize infrastructure, expand access, and bring care closer to home. We are giving states the flexibility to build solutions around the people they serve, while demanding accountability for results. That is how we strengthen rural health, improve the lives of patients and families, and Make America Healthy Again.”

“Every state knows best what its rural communities need, and thanks to President Trump’s Rural Health Transformation Program, they now have the resources to meet those needs,” said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “As states put these resources to work, we’re focused on turning these investments into meaningful, sustainable improvements for the health systems that serve rural Texans.”

Today’s investment was made possible through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act — passed by Republicans in Congress and unanimously opposed by Democrats — delivering a historic $50 billion investment to help states transform the way healthcare is delivered in America.

“This $78 million investment is a major win for rural Texas patients,” said Gov. Greg Abbott. “Providers will recruit doctors and emergency personnel, upgrade equipment and facilities, and advance prevention of chronic disease so care stays close to home. I thank President Trump, Secretary Kennedy, and Administrator Oz for their efforts to improve rural health care for Texans.”

“Investing in rural health care is just one of the key components of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, which will improve the lives of countless Texans,” said Sen. John Cornyn. “I was proud to support this legislation, now law, to establish the Rural Health Transformation Program, and I am glad to see this additional $78 million in funding to help Texans with chronic conditions access care across the Lone Star State.”

“Rural Texans deserve quality healthcare close to home. I’m grateful to President Trump and his Administration for standing with our communities,” said Rep. Keith Self. “This $78 million investment in 216 rural healthcare providers throughout Texas will strengthen local hospitals and clinics and expand access to care. I was proud to work alongside my colleagues in the Texas delegation to secure this funding.”

“This $78 million investment helps rural Texans get better care closer to home by strengthening local providers, improving equipment, and growing the healthcare workforce. Better care means better outcomes and higher quality of life across rural Texas,” said Rep. Lance Gooden.

“The farmers, ranchers, and small businesses in rural Texas do work this country depends on every day. Those families need reliable healthcare close to home to keep themselves and their communities strong. And when getting care means hours on the road or waiting until a condition becomes an emergency, the whole community feels the impact,” said Rep. Jake Ellzey. “This funding will help rural hospitals better serve their patients and expand prevention and wellness programs that catch health problems earlier. Keeping care close to home helps families stay healthy, keeps people working, and gives our rural communities a stronger foundation for the future.”

“I’m grateful that Texas is receiving another record investment in rural healthcare. Too many rural Texans still face long drives and limited options when they need care. This $78 million investment for 216 providers through the Rural Texas Strong initiative will help them recruit and retain healthcare workers, prevent chronic disease, and upgrade critical facilities and equipment, putting care closer to home for rural Texans. Healthy communities are strong communities, and I’m grateful to CMS and our state partners for making this happen,” said Rep. August Pfluger.

“Every Texan deserves access to high-quality health care. I’m proud to have joined my Republican Texas colleagues in passing the Rural Health Transformation Program, bringing millions of dollars into our rural communities,” said Rep. Craig Goldman. “This $78 million will deliver stronger preventive care, support our rural health care workforce, and modernize medical facilities to ensure Texans receive the reliable care they need.”

“Rural Texans deserve access to quality healthcare in their communities. This $78 million investment will help strengthen rural healthcare providers, recruit and retain skilled medical professionals, and improve access to the equipment and services patients need. By supporting chronic disease prevention, workforce development, and improvements to rural healthcare facilities, we can help ensure families in TX-13 and across Texas have access to the care they deserve,” said Rep. Ronny Jackson.

“Healthcare access is a challenge for rural Texas, making this $78M investment a major win for our state. By fighting chronic illness, training future doctors, and supporting local providers, these funds ensure every Texan can access the care they need,” said Rep. Monica De La Cruz.

“President Trump recognizes that strong communities depend on access to quality, affordable health care, regardless of where families call home,” said Rep. Wesley Hunt. “We secured a landmark investment in rural health care that will help ensure smaller communities are not left behind. Texas is now taking meaningful steps to turn that investment into results by supporting rural hospitals, improving access to essential medical services, and prioritizing preventive care. I was proud to stand alongside President Trump in advancing this important initiative, and I appreciate his continued leadership in delivering real solutions for hardworking families across rural Texas.”

Today’s announcement is one part of the larger overall funding amount awarded to Texas for fiscal year 2026.

Key initiatives the overall RHTP funding will focus on include: 

• Building the rural healthcare workforce: Supporting recruitment, training, and retention strategies to strengthen the pipeline of healthcare professionals serving rural communities.
• Strengthening rural facilities and access: Supporting partnerships, operational improvements, and care-delivery changes that help rural providers maintain essential services and improve access.
• Advancing innovative care and payment models: Supporting new approaches to delivery and financing designed to improve quality, strengthen primary care, and support sustainable rural healthcare.
• Expanding community-based and preventive care: Investing in school-based care, mobile services, and other community strategies that improve prevention, address chronic disease, and expand access to care.
• Modernizing rural healthcare technology: Expanding remote care and data-driven tools to improve coordination and extend healthcare services to rural communities.

The Trump Administration is delivering on its commitment to strengthen rural America by investing in solutions that modernize technology to promote health and well-being for rural communities. Led by CMS, the RHTP is moving beyond the failed one-size-fits-all approach and giving rural communities the tools to build stronger, more innovative, and more sustainable health systems that deliver better care and better outcomes for the Americans they serve.

For more information about the RHTP, visit: https://www.medicaid.gov/resources-for-states/rural-health.

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