H.B. No. 18, the Rural Health Stabilization and Innovation Act, aims to improve healthcare services in rural Texas by establishing new programs and amending existing provisions in the Government Code. The bill introduces requirements for a strategic plan to enhance access to hospital services in rural areas, including proposals for improved reimbursement methodologies, a financial needs assessment, and a financial vulnerability index for rural hospitals. It also establishes the State Office of Rural Hospital Finance to provide technical assistance and support. Additionally, the bill outlines several grant programs designed to bolster the financial stability of rural hospitals and health clinics, including financial stabilization, emergency hardship, innovation, and rural hospital support grants.

The legislation further defines "rural hospitals" and "rural health clinics," and introduces programs to enhance pediatric telemedicine and mental health care access for these facilities. It amends Section 113.0251 of the Health and Safety Code to require a biennial report detailing the mental health access services provided to rural hospitals and clinics, along with associated costs and legislative recommendations. The bill also mandates the Health and Human Services Commission to contract with higher education institutions to administer an academy by December 1, 2025, and requires the formation of an interagency advisory committee by January 1, 2026. The bill will take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if not.

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, Government Code 532, Chapter , Health and Safety Code 548, Government Code 526, Health and Safety Code 113, 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, Government Code 532, Chapter , Health and Safety Code 548, Government Code 526, Health and Safety Code 113, 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, Government Code 532, Chapter , Health and Safety Code 548, Government Code 526, Health and Safety Code 113, 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, Government Code 532, Chapter , Health and Safety Code 548, Government Code 526, Health and Safety Code 113, Chapter , Health and Safety Code 526)