Governor Greg Abbott and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. met with Texas rural healthcare stakeholders on August 28, 2025, to discuss initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes in rural areas of the state. The meeting included a roundtable discussion followed by a press conference.
The officials focused on the Rural Healthcare Transformation Program and efforts to improve health for Texans living in rural communities. Governor Abbott discussed the Make Texas Healthy Again package, which he signed into law recently to help residents make better-informed decisions about their health and nutrition.
Governor Abbott stated, “Our goal has to be to ensure that every corner of our state is going to be prepared to respond to the health care needs of their community. More than 190 counties are categorized as rural in this state, and they have more than 6 million Texans. We have an obligation to ensure that those communities are able to succeed. I want to thank Secretary Kennedy and President Trump for helping prioritize the rural regions of our state to ensure healthcare in rural regions improve.”
Secretary Kennedy also addressed attendees: “Governor Abbott, thank you for your dedication to rural health care providers in Texas,” said Secretary Kennedy. “And thank you, President Trump, for your brilliant One Big Beautiful Bill and its Rural Health Transformation provision, which delivers $50 billion in rural health support across the United States. We will strengthen and expand rural health like never before. That is my promise to rural communities, my promise to Texas, and my promise to the American people.”
Participants from various organizations emphasized ongoing investment needs for mental and physical healthcare across Texas. They highlighted progress made during the recent legislative session related to maternity services gaps, mental health services expansion, childcare improvements, and increased funding for hospital grant programs.
During the press conference, it was reiterated that recent investments include $300 million from state funds along with $100 million annually over five years from federal sources dedicated toward behavioral telehealth services, artificial intelligence innovation in healthcare delivery, and upgrading laboratories serving rural populations.
Stakeholders attending included leaders from hospital districts, community service providers, statewide associations representing clinics and hospitals, university systems focusing on community health research, as well as officials from both state agencies such as Texas Health and Human Services Commission and federal offices within U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
