East Texas Could See Boost in Hospital and EMS Support Under New Laws

Photo Courtesy of The Office of the Governor Greg Abbott

AUSTIN — Rural Texans, including those in Jasper, Newton, and Tyler Counties, are set to see stronger support for hospitals and emergency medical services under two new laws signed by Governor Greg Abbott. The legislation — House Bill 18 (Rural Health Stabilization and Innovation Act) and House Bill 3000 (Rural Ambulance Service Grant Program) — aims to keep small-town hospitals open and ensure rural ambulance providers have the funding to respond when seconds matter.

The announcement comes just days after Abbott and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. hosted a rural healthcare roundtable in Austin with hospital leaders, EMS directors, and community health advocates. Together, they discussed the challenges of serving more than 6 million Texans who live in 190 rural counties across the state.

Ambulance Funding and Faster Response Times

House Bill 3000 establishes a new Rural Ambulance Service Grant Program, administered by the state comptroller, to provide financial assistance to ambulance providers in rural counties.

For East Texas, this could directly benefit services like Newton County EMS, Tyler County EMS, and local volunteer fire departments that provide emergency transport. These agencies often face steep funding shortages, rising equipment costs, and volunteer shortages. State grants could help keep ambulances running, improve response times, and ensure coverage across wide stretches of rural roadways.

Stabilizing Rural Hospitals

House Bill 18 focuses on the long-term survival of rural hospitals and clinics. It provides stabilization funding, technical assistance, and creates the Texas Rural Hospital Officers Academy to train administrators in financial planning, compliance, and hospital management.

Facilities such as Jasper Memorial Hospital and Tyler County Hospital could see new state support aimed at preventing closures — a real concern for small-town hospitals across Texas. The law also expands telehealth programs, especially for pediatric and mental health services, reducing the need for families to travel long distances for specialized care.

“Our goal has to be to ensure that every corner of our state is prepared to respond to the health care needs of their community,” Abbott said during the roundtable. “We have an obligation to ensure that those communities are able to succeed.”

Secretary Kennedy echoed the commitment, pointing to a $50 billion national investment in rural healthcare support. “We will strengthen and expand rural health like never before,” he said.

Why It Matters Here at Home

For residents in Jasper, Newton, and Tyler Counties, the impact could be immediate and practical:

• More stable local hospitals that can keep services open.

• Stronger ambulance support, with grants available for rural EMS providers.

• Expanded access to telehealth, especially in pediatric mental health, helping families who otherwise face long drives to larger cities.

The Bottom Line

While the full effects will take time to roll out, the new laws represent one of the largest state investments in rural healthcare in recent years. For East Texans, it could mean better emergency response, stronger hospitals, and new tools to keep critical healthcare close to home.

For more information, read the full bill texts here: HB 18 | HB 3000

Source: Office of the Governor of Texas