Abbott, HHSC announce $56M funding for rural health programs

  • RECOGNITATION OF SERVICE-- The City of Levelland and Police Chief Erica O'Bryon recognized the following employees for their years of service: (left to right) Terez Ramos, Law Enforcement Communications,10 years; Capt. Ty Land, Levelland Police Department, 20 years; and Donna Edwards, Levelland Police Department, 20 years. (City of Levelland photo)
    RECOGNITATION OF SERVICE-- The City of Levelland and Police Chief Erica O'Bryon recognized the following employees for their years of service: (left to right) Terez Ramos, Law Enforcement Communications,10 years; Capt. Ty Land, Levelland Police Department, 20 years; and Donna Edwards, Levelland Police Department, 20 years. (City of Levelland photo)
  • NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER— Community members gathered around the Courthouse lawn this past Thursday for the National Day of Prayer. The event was hosted by the Levelland Ministerial Alliance. Attendees were served hot dogs and sausage wraps while prayers were made for all entities of government, first responders, police officer and public schools. Prayer services where held across the nation. (Staff photo by Caleigh Calhoun)
    NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER— Community members gathered around the Courthouse lawn this past Thursday for the National Day of Prayer. The event was hosted by the Levelland Ministerial Alliance. Attendees were served hot dogs and sausage wraps while prayers were made for all entities of government, first responders, police officer and public schools. Prayer services where held across the nation. (Staff photo by Caleigh Calhoun)

    Texas Workforce Commission released the March 2026 data, showing the state with 4.3% non-farm unemployment rate.

    Texas' seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 4.3% in March 2026, with the state adding 117,200 jobs over the year. Midland MSA reported the state's lowest MSA unemployment rate at 3.0%, followed by Abilene, College Station-Bryan, and San Angelo at 3.2%.

    Texas added 46,800 nonfarm jobs in March to reach a total of 14,403,500. Over the year, the state added 117,200 jobs for an annual nonfarm growth rate of 0.8 percent, outpacing the national growth rate by 0.6 percentage points.

    (See “Rural Health funding ” continued on page 2) Eligible public and private rural hospitals may apply for funding through a competitive process. Applications must be submitted by June 4.

    The $56 million announced today represents a portion of the $281,319,360.67 first-year award HHSC received from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Rural Health Transformation Program. Rural Texas Strong, the CMS-approved state plan, is 100% federally funded and features six initiatives that deliver funding to rural communities.

    Texas estimates receiving approximately $1.4 billion in federal funding over five years through the program to support rural health care. Federal funding is contingent upon meeting all applicable program requirements.