H.B. No. 18, the Rural Health Stabilization and Innovation Act, aims to improve healthcare services in rural Texas by establishing new programs and requirements for rural hospitals. The bill amends Sections 526.0301(b) and (c) of the Government Code to mandate a strategic plan that includes a rural hospital financial needs assessment and a financial vulnerability index, which will help evaluate the sustainability of rural hospitals over the next two years. It also establishes the State Office of Rural Hospital Finance to provide technical assistance and requires the office to report on the strategic plan to key legislative bodies by December 1 of each even-numbered year. Additionally, the bill introduces various grant programs to support rural healthcare providers, focusing on financial stabilization, emergency hardship, and innovation, while prioritizing vulnerable populations.

Moreover, the bill enhances Medicaid support for rural hospitals and clinics, particularly in pediatric and mental health services, by establishing grant programs with specific compliance and oversight requirements. It expands definitions related to rural health facilities and introduces programs like the Pediatric Tele-Connectivity Resource Program and the Rural Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Program, which utilize telehealth to improve access to specialists and mental health services for children. The bill also requires a biennial report from the consortium on its activities and funding, and it includes provisions for the Health and Human Services Commission to collaborate with higher education institutions to administer an academy by 2025. The act will take effect immediately upon a two-thirds vote or on September 1, 2025, if such a vote is not achieved.

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