Equity & Access · Texas behavioral health news
Growing Texas’ rural health care sector - Texas 2036
Mental Health Equity (Google News) · February 23, 2026
In plain language
Over four million people live in rural Texas, where finding medical care can be extremely difficult. Many residents live more than 75 miles from the nearest hospital, and nearly half of the state's counties lack any maternity care services. These areas also face high rates of uninsured residents and a lack of mental health providers. State leaders are working to fix these gaps by increasing grants for rural hospitals and expanding virtual health services like telepsychiatry.
AI-generated summary of the source article. Not medical advice.
Key takeaways
- Nearly one-third of Texas counties have no hospital at all.
- Rural Texans often travel over 75 miles to reach emergency or intensive care.
- Almost half of Texas counties are maternity care deserts with no local OB-GYN services.
- Rural areas in West Texas and the Panhandle have higher percentages of uninsured residents.
- Texas is increasing Medicaid reimbursements and rural hospital grants to improve local access.
- State agencies are expanding telepsychiatry and virtual care to reach underserved rural communities.
Growing Texas’ rural health care sector Texas 2036
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