Governor Greg Abbott signed new legislation helping rural healthcare in Texas and made a bold prediction if Texas plays its cards right.
Gov. Abbott says with work done over the past two legislation sessions and potential future federal funding, he thinks it is possible for massive improvement for healthcare in rural communities.
"If we do everything right, we should have $1-billion for improving healthcare just in the rural regions of the State of Texas over the next five years," Abbott told the Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals fall conference in Austin. "You can do that."
Abbott signed two bills into law after his remarks.
House Bill 300 aims to boost ambulance response times in rural communities.
Abbott spoke of his own experience when he was paralyzed by a falling tree in the middle of Houston. He said it felt like two days while he was waiting for someone to come help him.
"I can only imagine what people who have suffered accidents, injuries, or medical needs that require an ambulance are going through as they are waiting for an ambulance to arrive," he said.
House Bill 18 address a number of issues including addressing gaps in maternity services and establishing the Office of Rural Hospital Finance.