Rural Physicians

The enormity of Texas is a source of great pride, but it also can serve as a great obstacle for those seeking and providing health care.  Approximately 15 percent of Texas' population lives in rural counties, yet only 9 percent of primary care physicians practice there.  In many ways, rural physicians are the backbone of the Texas Medical Association, ensuring access to care for many citizens who otherwise would not be served.

Committee on Rural Health

  • The committee is a group of nine practicing rural physicians committed to studying rural practices and developing solutions to problems that impede patient care in Texas' rural towns and communities. 
  •  The physician-driven team tracks issues such as Medicare and Medicaid payments to rural physicians, the uninsured, workforce issues, scope of practice, affordability and implementation of health information technology, telemedicine, and nursing home surveyors. 
  •  The group reports to TMA's Council on Socioeconomics which regularly incorporates the committee's input into its policy-making, advocacy, research, and member service inititiatives. 
  •  The Committee on Rural Health also serves as a forum for communicating with the House of Delegates the association's policy-making body.  

  Legislative Advocacy

  •  Texas Medical Association offers physicians unified political action and grassroots legislative lobbying. 
  •  The association works hard to ensure continued success in legislature, regulatory, and legal interventions to enhance the environment in which Texas physicians practice medicine
  •  Membership allows physicians access to advocacy to strengthen Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program, address border health obesity and immunizations, and more. 
  •  TMA continues to demand for strong laws enforcing prompt payment by insurers and negotiation for fair workers' compensation and Medicare fees. 

Practice Management Solutions

  • Practice Management Publications are available to help your practice on topics such as medical records, documentation, model policy and procedure office manual, medical jurisprudence. 
  •  TMA's Learn @ Lunch audio seminar series, provides physicians and staff a quick and easy way to stay up to date on important issues that affect the business side of your practice.
  •  The TMA Job Bank is an enhanced online job listing that can help accelerate your career search or better target recruitment efforts.  
  •  TMA Practice e-tips offer use-it-now tips on running a successful practice for physicians and office staff. 
  • And, personalized reimbursement assistance is available through your membership with one-on-one help via phone on issues such as regulatory compliance, billing and coding, and legal.

Insurance and Financial Products

  • Liability insurance is offered through the Texas Medical Liability Trust.
  • The Texas Medical Association Insurance Trust provides health, life, and disability coverage.
  • Practice Management CME can provide members with a 3-percent discount on TMLT premiums through completion of select risk management CME.
  • Practice Management publications are available, such as Texas Medical Jurisprudence Manual and Study Guide.  

Find additional resources for rural health.

TMA Staff Contacts:  Robert Bennett, Vice President, Division of Medical Economics, at (800) 880-1300, ext.1409

Last Updated On

February 16, 2024

Originally Published On

October 05, 2010