Texas A&M Rural Texas Strong HUB

Welcome to the Texas A&M Rural Texas Strong Hub, a Texas A&M system-wide clearinghouse for learning more about the Rural Texas Strong Program, the state led initiative to transform rural health. The Texas A&M Rural and Community Health Institute (RCHI) has launched this hub for all Texas A&M System members to learn more about the Rural Texas Strong program, access the latest updates about the initiative, and connect with rural health stakeholders to extend TAMU support for local projects.

The Rural Texas Strong (RTS) program represents a transformative $1.4 billion investment in rural healthcare across Texas over five years. Funded through the federal CMS Rural Health Transformation Program created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (2025), the Texas HHSC Rural Health Transformation Program addresses critical challenges facing rural communities: hospital closures, workforce shortages, and declining access to care. In Year 1, under the direction of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), Texas will invest $281.3 million in rural health care organizations to implement strategic initiatives designed to modernize rural health systems, expand access, and improve health outcomes for rural Texans. Funding is primarily designated for rural hospital districts and other health care facilities as specified by HHSC. Additional information is available in the Rural Texas Strong Fact Sheet.

The Texas A&M Rural Texas Strong Hub will:

• Inform: Serve as a centralized hub that equips Texas A&M System members with a clear understanding of Rural Texas Strong program initiatives. In addition to self-directed resources, RCHI will offer RTS webinars and RTS presentations to Texas AM System members upon request.

• Communicate: Disseminate RTS updates and opportunities to participate. Provide a public database that displays Texas A&M expertise and interest in RTS initiatives and a listing of Texas A&M System member RTS collaborations with rural stakeholders.

• Connect: Link rural health care entities with Texas A&M System members and resources. Offer guidance to system members on how their expertise can best support rural health care projects.

RCHI's extensive and ongoing experience partnering with nearly 150 rural hospitals and clinics statewide provides the foundation for our role as the Rural Texas Strong (RTS) Hub. Though funding will generally not be available to institutions of higher learning, it is anticipated that rural health care facilities and rural health-focused organizations will seek expertise in the design and implementation of RTS projects. In addition to maintaining the RTS Hub, the RCHI team canoffer feedback on RTS conceptual proposals to work with rural health partners and facilitate initial meetings with rural health organizations.