Rural Health Care

Hospitals, Especially Rural Ones, Face Increased Risk of Closure as Pandemic Funds Dwindle - 01/29/2024

Now approaching the fourth year since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Texas hospitals are still reeling from its impact, facing elevated expenses, depressed patient volume, and tighter margins compared with prepandemic numbers. Rural hospitals, in particular, are at a significantly higher risk of closing.


Applications Open for Physician Education Loan Repayment Program - 06/22/2023

After closing on and off for more than a year, Texas’ Physician Education Loan Repayment Program, which gives physicians a strong financial reason to practice in rural and underserved areas, is now taking applications.


TMA Urges Comprehensive Rural Health Care Reform Amid Workforce Shortages - 09/22/2022

Last December, Adrian Billings, MD – a family physician serving Alpine, Marfa, and Presidio – responded to a small plane crash on his way home from work. After he called 911, he saw the lone ambulance in Presidio pass by the crash, on its way to another call. He said the two plane passengers likely wouldn’t have survived had emergency medical services from nearby cities not intervened.


Rural Residencies: Texas Tech’s Rural Training Track Brings More Physicians to Small Towns - 06/30/2022

In all his dreams about becoming a doctor, Ivan Becerra, MD, never imagined he’d lead a cesarean section delivery during just his second year of residency. Yet last August, that’s exactly what he was doing at Pecos County Memorial


Playing the Long Game: Adrian Billings, MD, Deepens the Rural Physician Bench - 10/02/2021

Although medicine wasn’t his initial choice, Dr. Billings’ passion for his work is palpable and extends far beyond the exam room, especially when he’s training future rural physicians.


Feds Focus New COVID Relief on Rural Areas, Give Grace Period on Previous Reporting Deadline - 09/29/2021

The Biden administration has announced plans to distribute $25.5 billion in funding to physicians, hospitals, and other health care facilities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the Provider Relief Fund (PRF), and will open the portal for funding applications on Sept. 29.


Feds Distribute Grant to Boost Vaccine Confidence in Rural Texas - 07/28/2021

Texas rural health clinics are receiving more than $7 million out of nearly $100 million the Biden-Harris administration is distributing to rural clinics nationwide to support COVID-19 vaccination outreach.


Protect and Revitalize Rural Texans’ Health Care - 03/30/2021

Prior to the arrival of the COVID-19 virus, Texas’ rural health care already faced unprecedented financial and demographic pressures. The pandemic now has amplified the crisis.


Census Undercount Could Stifle Texas’ Health Services, Doctors Say - 03/11/2020

Texas physicians are urging patients to answer the upcoming U.S. Census to ensure the state won’t lose billions of dollars’ worth of health and human services funding – a loss that could harm the patients themselves.


Help Rural Hospitals Receive State Revenue - 02/05/2019

If you understand rural health needs and have some time to help hospitals in those areas seek state funding, the State Office of Rural Health needs your help.


Rural FP Finds Rewards With Full-scope Training, Deep Roots - 01/04/2019

Texas physician acknowledges the hard work it takes to build a solo practice in a rural community.


Crisis in the Country - 09/26/2018

Since 2010, Texas has seen more rural hospitals close than has any other state, leaving huge gaps in health care; however, the state's rural areas have options for maintaining health care facilities.


Every physician has a story. What's yours? - 07/10/2018

Every Texas physician has a story like this. Texas Medical Association wants to share these stories ... with lawmakers and the public. The power in these stories will help them understand the problems in medicine today and how we hope to solve them.


Researchers Seek Your Input on Palliative Care Telementoring Program - 06/22/2018

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is creating an online mentoring program, called ECHO Palliative Care Texas, to help rural physicians care for patients who need supportive and/or palliative care as they receive cancer treatment.


Reviewers Required for Rural Revenue Recipients - 02/06/2018

If you understand rural health needs and have some time to help facilities in those areas seek state funding, the State Office of Rural Health needs your help.


Medicare Physicians in Shortage Areas to Get Automatic Bonuses - 10/20/2017

Physicians who serve Medicare patients in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) automatically receive a 10-percent bonus payment except for certain situations that require the AQ modifier.