Signed by Governor Greg Abbott

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that establishes certain programs and services providing health care services to rural counties in Texas.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Rural Health Stabilization and Innovation Act in Texas (Sec. 1). 

• Requires that certain programs are implemented to ensure all of the following financial needs of rural hospitals are met over the next 2 years (Sec. 2):

• That the rural hospital is able to maintain the types of patient services they currently offer at the same level of service;

• That the rural hospital is able to meet all of its current financial obligations; and

• That the rural hospital is able to remain operational.

• Establishes the State Office of Rural Hospital Finance (Sec. 3). 

• Requires the State Office of Rural Hospital Finance to submit a biannual report on the development and implementation of the strategic plans under the provisions of this bill (Sec. 2). 

• Establishes a financial stabilization grant program to award grants to support and improve the financial stability of rural hospitals (Sec. 4). 

• Specifies certain authorized usages of the funds appropriated by the grant programs under the provisions of this bill (Sec. 8). 

• Requires a mental health care access program for rural hospitals to be developed by September 1, 2026 (Sec. 12). 

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect upon passage if it receives a two-thirds vote in each house, otherwise it takes effect September 1, 2025 (Sec. 17). 

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that establishes certain programs and services providing health care services to rural counties in Texas.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Rural Health Stabilization and Innovation Act in Texas (Sec. 1). 

• Requires that certain programs are implemented to ensure all of the following financial needs of rural hospitals are met over the next 2 years (Sec. 2):

• That the rural hospital is able to maintain the types of patient services they currently offer at the same level of service;

• That the rural hospital is able to meet all of its current financial obligations; and

• That the rural hospital is able to remain operational.

• Establishes the State Office of Rural Hospital Finance (Sec. 3). 

• Requires the State Office of Rural Hospital Finance to submit a biannual report on the development and implementation of the strategic plans under the provisions of this bill (Sec. 2). 

• Establishes a financial stabilization grant program to award grants to support and improve the financial stability of rural hospitals (Sec. 4). 

• Specifies certain authorized usages of the funds appropriated by the grant programs under the provisions of this bill (Sec. 8). 

• Requires a mental health care access program for rural hospitals to be developed by September 1, 2026 (Sec. 12). 

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect upon passage if it receives a two-thirds vote in each house, otherwise it takes effect September 1, 2025 (Sec. 17). 

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes certain programs and services providing health care services to rural counties in Texas.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Rural Health Stabilization and Innovation Act in Texas (Sec. 1). 

• Requires that certain programs are implemented to ensure all of the following financial needs of rural hospitals are met over the next 2 years (Sec. 2):

• That the rural hospital is able to maintain the types of patient services they currently offer at the same level of service;

• That the rural hospital is able to meet all of its current financial obligations; and

• That the rural hospital is able to remain operational.

• Establishes the State Office of Rural Hospital Finance (Sec. 3). 

• Requires the State Office of Rural Hospital Finance to submit a biannual report on the development and implementation of the strategic plans under the provisions of this bill (Sec. 2). 

• Establishes a financial stabilization grant program to award grants to support and improve the financial stability of rural hospitals (Sec. 4). 

• Specifies certain authorized usages of the funds appropriated by the grant programs under the provisions of this bill (Sec. 8). 

• Requires a mental health care access program for rural hospitals to be developed by September 1, 2026 (Sec. 12). 

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect upon passage if it receives a two-thirds vote in each house, otherwise it takes effect September 1, 2025 (Sec. 17). 

Full Bill Text