Texas resources via the Rural Health Information Hub

Resource: Workplace Violence Prevention: Impacting Providers and Patients, with Kathy Griffis

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 09:19:39 -0500

An episode of the Exploring Rural Health podcast featuring Kathy Griffis, Chief Operating Officer of Titus Regional Medical Center in Mount Pleasant, Texas. Focuses on her facility's recent efforts to reduce violence and ensure safe healthcare environments for their staff and patients. Part 3 in a 3-part series from the December 2025 Health Innovation Potluck held in Hutchinson, Kansas. -- Rural Health Information Hub

News: CMS: Medicare Program; Delayed Implementation of Certain Prior Authorization for Select Services for the Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction (WISeR) Model

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 09:03:29 -0500

Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcing a delay in the implementation of two services from the list of Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction (WISeR) model items and services. The two services for which the prior authorization or pre-payment review process are delayed are 1) Deep Brain Stimulation for Essential Tremor and Parkinson's Disease (NCD 160.24) and 2) Percutaneous Image-Guided Lumbar Decompression for Spinal Stenosis (NCD 150.13). This notice is effective April 6, 2026.

News: CMS: Medicare Program; Implementation of Prior Authorization for Select Services for the Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction (WISeR) Model; Correction

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 08:57:19 -0500

Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making typographical and technical corrections to the July 1, 2025 notice titled "Medicare Program; Implementation of Prior Authorization for Select Services for the Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction (WISeR) Model." Corrections are effective April 6, 2026.

Resource: Assessing Access to Cardiologists and Endocrinologists in the Texas ACA Market

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 10:31:46 -0500

Uses secret shopper surveys to assess patient access to cardiologists and endocrinologists in the Texas Affordable Care Act marketplace. Includes breakdown of data by rurality of both patient and provider. Discusses appointment wait times and distance to care for rural patients.

News: Like 'Driving to San Francisco and Back, Every Week': In Rural America, Cancer Patients Face Tall Hurdles to Get Care

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 09:36:20 -0500

Describes long distances to cancer treatment common in rural areas and how one Texas medical facility added the service in a small community. Discusses challenges in attracting oncologists to rural facilities and offering access to more modern, advanced treatments.

Funding opportunity: AstraZeneca Foundation CHANGE Program

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 16:11:46 -0500

Funding to improve access to quality healthcare for people experiencing disadvantages due to geographic location or other barriers.

News: Maternal Health Care in Rural TX Nearing Crisis Levels

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 09:33:19 -0500

Highlights a recently published report to discuss maternal healthcare and resource access challenges in rural Texas. Discusses telehealth and federal programs as potential solutions to those access challenges.

Resource: Texas A&M Rural Texas Strong Hub

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 14:32:45 -0500

Provides information about the Rural Texas Strong (RTS) Program, the state's Rural Health Transformation Program, for Texas A&M System members. Will include a public database that displays Texas A&M expertise and interest in RTS initiatives, as well as a listing of Texas A&M System member RTS collaborations with rural stakeholders. Can offer feedback on RTS conceptual proposals and facilitate initial meetings with rural health organizations. -- A&M Rural and Community Health Institute

Funding opportunity: Texas Libraries Supporting Community Mental Health

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 15:22:32 -0500

Grant to Texas public libraries to strengthen the mental health and well-being of communities through educational programs, resources, services, and support. -- Hogg Foundation for Mental Health

Resource: Statewide Examination of Rural–Urban Differences in Assisted Living Facilities

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 11:55:02 -0600

Compares characteristics among rural and urban assisted living facilities (ALF) in Texas, using Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) facility survey data of 517 ALFs. Includes rural-urban comparisons between Type A and Type B facilities, provided services, certifications, antipsychotic drug use and dose reduction programs, and more.

Event: 2026 TexLa Digital Health Summit

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Lost Pines TX
July 30, 2026 -- TexLa Telehealth Resource Center

Resource: Associations Between Diet Quality and Psychosocial and Environmental Factors in Rural Adults

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 09:34:38 -0600

Surveys 2,420 rural adults in New York and Texas to identify social and environmental factors impacting diet quality.

Event: 2026 TORCH/TARHC Fall Conference

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Round Rock TX
August 24, 2026 -- Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals

Resource: Report on the Mental Health Program for Veterans for Fiscal Year 2025

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 16:12:40 -0600

Reports on the Texas Health and Human Service Commission (HHSC) and Texas Veterans Commission's (TVC) programs to ensure access to behavioral health services for service members, veterans, and their family members (SMVF) during fiscal year 2025 in Texas. Highlights the needs of rural SMVF throughout, and discusses services provided by the Rural Veteran Counselor (RVC) program. -- Texas Health and Human Services

Resource: Texas Rural Health Transformation Program

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 09:08:23 -0600

Provides information on Texas's Rural Health Transformation Program. Presents a summary of proposed initiatives and includes links to initial and revised components of Texas's program application, including the project narrative and budget narrative. -- Texas Health and Human Services

Resource: Building a Healthier Texas: Innovations in Diabetes Prevention Across Texas

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 13:38:13 -0600

Webinar discussing how access to healthy food and nutrition education support diabetes prevention in Texas, featuring perspectives and program examples presented by members of Texas healthcare and food access organizations. Includes discussion of food access in rural and border communities and nutrition support and education opportunities related to the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). See video description for transcript. -- Texas Health Institute

Event: 2026 Annual American Public Health Association Meeting and Expo

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

San Antonio TX
November 1, 2026 -- American Public Health Association

Resource: Physical Activity Outcomes of a Culturally Tailored, Father-Focused, and Family-Centered Health Promotion Program for Mexican-Heritage Families: ¡Haz Espacio Para Papi! (Make Room for Daddy)

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 12:16:09 -0600

Examines the physical activity outcomes of ¡Haz Espacio Para Papi! (HEPP), a promotora-delivered nutrition and physical activity intervention for Latino families in colonias near the Texas-Mexico border. Provides data on change in physical activity among fathers, children, and mothers, and discusses physical activity-related negative health outcomes of Mexican-heritage families in colonias.

Resource: All Texas Access Report for Fiscal Year 2025

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 09:52:04 -0600

Reports on access to mental health services for rural Texans. Includes information on service availability, objectives and strategies, and challenges and strengths in each region in Texas. -- Texas Health and Human Services

Resource: Tobacco-Related Knowledge Among Employees at Substance Use Treatment and Medical Healthcare Centers Serving Rural and Medically Underserved Patients with Substance Use Disorders in Texas, USA

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 09:19:58 -0600

Examines tobacco knowledge before and after receipt of a brief tobacco cessation training intervention among healthcare providers at substance use treatment centers and medical healthcare centers in rural and medically underserved areas of Texas. Details gaps in provider training related to the care of co-incident tobacco use and substance misuse disorders.

Funding opportunity: Water and Wastewater Loans

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 10:15:40 -0600

Flexible loan products, with terms up to 15 years, for small, rural community water and wastewater projects. -- Rural Community Assistance Partnership

Event: 2026 Annual NALBOH Conference

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0500

San Antonio TX
October 12, 2026 -- National Association of Local Boards of Health

Resource: The New Rural Emergency Hospital Designation Program: Will It Improve Access to Care for Rural Americans?

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 09:31:17 -0500

Discusses rural hospital closures and the potential impact of the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation. Provides U.S. maps showing Medicaid Expansion states and rural hospital closures as well as data specific to REHs in Texas.

Resource: Texas Promotor(a) or Community Health Worker Training and Certification Program: 2024 Annual Report

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 15:32:50 -0500

Describes the Promotora or Community Health Worker (CHW) Training and Certification Program in Texas, including the number of certified community health workers, instructors, certificate graduates, and renewals. Includes the number of certified community health workers by county and the location of CHW training programs in the state. -- Texas Health and Human Services

Resource: 2024 Rural Community Innovations: Transportation Planning Grant

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 11:40:22 -0500

Summarizes the efforts to increase accessible transportation services by 11 grantees of the 2024 National Aging and Disability Transportation Center's Rural Community Innovations Transportation Planning Grant. Includes a report highlighting lessons learned by the grantees discussing community partnerships, outreach, and sustainability. Features programs from Maine, Michigan, New York, Massachusetts, Montana, Texas, Washington, Georgia, and Missouri. -- National Aging and Disability Transportation Center

Resource: 2024 Texas Hospital Nurse Staffing Study: Rural and Critical Access Hospitals

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 16:11:24 -0500

Compares nurse staffing in Texas's rural Critical Access Hospitals (CAH), rural non-CAH hospitals, and non-rural hospitals, utilizing 2024 Hospital Nurse Staffing Survey data. Provides data on vacancies, turnover, and budgeting for the nurse workforce. -- Texas Health and Human Services

Resource: Geographic Disparities in Access to Outpatient Stroke Rehabilitation in Texas

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 09:39:55 -0500

Examines rural-urban disparities in access to and use of outpatient stroke rehabilitation services in Texas, utilizing 2016-2019 Medicare claims data in addition to a survey of Texas clinics.

Resource: An Evaluation of the Telehealth Broadband Pilot Program (2021–2024)

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 15:13:41 -0500

Provides an overview of the Telehealth Broadband Pilot (TBP) Program, which aimed to address gaps in broadband service that limited access to telehealth services in rural and underserved communities in Alaska, Michigan, Texas, and West Virginia. Details the development and implementation of devices that measured broadband data in the communities over time and the results of those devices. Summarizes discussions with TBP Program staff regarding the implementation and effectiveness of the program, as well as interviews with healthcare stakeholders, consumers, and technical assistance providers in TBP Program communities. Offers factors for consideration in the development of future programs to measure broadband implementation in rural communities and improve user experience. Includes summary reports by state. -- Rural Telehealth Evaluation Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Regional Campuses

Resource: Telehealth Broadband Project

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 14:04:14 -0500

Provides information and data on rural broadband access and its impact on healthcare. Profiles rural community partnerships in four states - Alaska, Michigan, Texas, and West Virginia - designed to better understand connectivity issues. -- Rural Telehealth Evaluation Center

Funding opportunity: Chamiza Foundation Grants

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 15:25:14 -0600

Grant support for programs that directly relate to the preservation and/or continuity of Pueblo culture and traditional lifeways.