The Texas Critically Underserved Relief and Enhancement Act (Texas Cure Act) establishes a Rural Admission Medical Program (RAMP) aimed at supporting students from rural counties with populations under 25,000 in their pursuit of medical education. A newly formed Rural Admission Medical Program Council will oversee the program, which includes recruiting eligible students, creating an application process, and providing scholarships and stipends. The council guarantees that participating students will be admitted to at least one participating medical school, contingent upon meeting specific conditions. The bill also sets forth eligibility criteria, including residency, academic performance, and participation in internships, while requiring students to repay financial assistance if they enroll in medical schools outside Texas, with exceptions for temporary exchanges.

Additionally, the bill introduces a Rural Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Delegation and Supervision Program, managed by The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center College of Medicine. This program allows the college to form delegation and supervision agreements with physicians and advanced practice registered nurses in rural areas, with restrictions on fees and the number of agreements a physician can enter into. The college is responsible for maintaining records of these agreements and collecting data on their impact on healthcare access, ensuring compliance with health information laws. The bill mandates the adoption of necessary implementation rules by February 1, 2026, and is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Occupations Code 157.0512 (Occupations Code 157)
Senate Committee Report: Chapter , Education Code 2.001, Chapter , Occupations Code 3.001 (Occupations Code 157, Chapter , Education Code 2, Chapter , Occupations Code 3)
Engrossed: Occupations Code 157.0512 (Occupations Code 157, Chapter , Education Code 2, Chapter , Occupations Code 3)
House Committee Report: Occupations Code 157.0512 (Occupations Code 157, Chapter , Education Code 2, Chapter , Occupations Code 3)