U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. joined Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday for a roundtable discussion on expanding rural health care, calling struggling hospitals “absolutely critical” to the survival of small communities.
“Rural America is in crisis,” Kennedy said, noting that rural hospitals are often the largest employers in their regions. “These institutions are not just medical providers. They have the highest paying jobs.”
The discussion focused on how Texas could benefit from the federal Rural Transformation Program, a $50 billion, five-year initiative under President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Half of the funding will be split among the states, while the rest will be awarded through applications. Kennedy said states prioritizing infrastructure, workforce development, innovation and telehealth will be more competitive for the funds.
Abbott said Texas lawmakers approved more than $300 million this session for rural health care and nearly $500 million over the past two sessions for mental health services. He said state leaders would direct new funding toward women who are pregnant or recently gave birth, children, seniors and uninsured Texans.
Both leaders acknowledged staffing shortages in rural areas. Abbott said state officials plan to address workforce gaps beyond the federal program’s five-year window, while Kennedy emphasized that applications will be reviewed by December and funding could begin flowing to states in January.
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