H.B. No. 18, the Rural Health Stabilization and Innovation Act, seeks to improve healthcare services in rural Texas by establishing new programs and amending existing provisions in the Government Code. Key amendments include the introduction of a strategic plan to enhance access to hospital services in rural areas, which encompasses proposals for improved reimbursement methodologies, a financial needs assessment, and a financial vulnerability index for rural hospitals. The bill also establishes the State Office of Rural Hospital Finance to provide technical assistance and support, while introducing various grant programs aimed at supporting financially unstable rural hospitals and healthcare providers.

Additionally, the bill enhances Medicaid support for rural hospitals and clinics, particularly focusing on pediatric and mental health services. It creates a Rural Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Program to improve mental health services through telemedicine and mandates the development of consultation and telehealth programs by September 2026. The legislation also requires a biennial report from the consortium on mental health access services and repeals certain provisions of the Government Code, while mandating the Health and Human Services Commission to contract with higher education institutions for an academy by December 1, 2025. The bill will take effect immediately with a two-thirds vote or on September 1, 2025, if not passed.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 113.0001, Chapter , Health and Safety Code 548.0351, Health and Safety Code 113.0251 (Chapter , Health and Safety Code 548, Health and Safety Code 113)
House Committee Report: Government Code 526.0301, Government Code 532.0155, Government Code 548.0351, Government Code 548.0352, Government Code 548.0353, Government Code 548.0354, Government Code 548.0357, Health and Safety Code 113.0001, Chapter , Health and Safety Code 526.0321, Health and Safety Code 113.0251 (Government Code 548, Health and Safety Code 113, Government Code 532, Chapter , Health and Safety Code 548, Government Code 526, Chapter , Health and Safety Code 526)
Engrossed: Government Code 526.0301, Government Code 532.0155, Government Code 548.0351, Government Code 548.0352, Government Code 548.0353, Government Code 548.0354, Government Code 548.0357, Health and Safety Code 113.0001, Chapter , Health and Safety Code 526.0321, Health and Safety Code 113.0251 (Government Code 548, Health and Safety Code 113, Government Code 532, Chapter , Health and Safety Code 548, Government Code 526, Chapter , Health and Safety Code 526)
Senate Committee Report: Government Code 526.0301, Government Code 532.0155, Government Code 548.0351, Government Code 548.0352, Government Code 548.0353, Government Code 548.0354, Government Code 548.0357, Health and Safety Code 113.0001, Chapter , Health and Safety Code 526.0321, Health and Safety Code 113.0251 (Government Code 548, Health and Safety Code 113, Government Code 532, Chapter , Health and Safety Code 548, Government Code 526, Chapter , Health and Safety Code 526)
Enrolled: Government Code 526.0301, Government Code 532.0155, Government Code 548.0351, Government Code 548.0352, Government Code 548.0353, Government Code 548.0354, Government Code 548.0357, Health and Safety Code 113.0001, Chapter , Health and Safety Code 526.0321, Health and Safety Code 113.0251 (Government Code 548, Health and Safety Code 113, Government Code 532, Chapter , Health and Safety Code 548, Government Code 526, Chapter , Health and Safety Code 526)