Sens. Cruz, Cornyn, Rep. Pfluger, Texas Delegation Members Urge CMS to Prioritize Funding for Texas from Rural Health Transformation Program

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas-11) led a letter with members of the Texas delegation urging U.S. Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Dr. Mehmet Oz to support Texas’s application for funding from the Rural Health Transformation Program. The $50 billion fund was authorized earlier this year by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Read the full letter here or excerpts below:

"As you know, Congress approved a historic investment in rural health care earlier this year by creating this program and ensuring that states can work with CMS to determine how to use these funds most effectively to meet the needs of their rural communities. Specifically, Congress provided $50 billion for state grants, with half being distributed by CMS ‘equally among all states with approved application.’

“Under this directive, each state could receive the same amount from the pool regardless of the number of rural hospitals and providers or the size of its rural population. For example, Connecticut, which has three rural hospitals, could receive the same amount as Texas, which has 155 rural hospitals. Texas hospitals and clinics will be clearly disadvantaged under this model, while facilities in more urban states will see an unearned windfall.

“Texas is ready and more than able to meet this critical moment for improving health care access and outcomes in our rural communities. Texas will collaborate with rural hospitals, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and other providers across the state, using the funding from this program ‘to reach residents in 100% of Texas’s rural counties and make rural Texans healthy again.’

“As you consider state applications, we ask that you ensure an appropriate balance in funding distribution and consider the increased need of a large, rural state like Texas to ensure we can make critical improvements in health care for rural Texas communities. Thank you for your careful attention to these concerns.”

The letter is co-signed by Reps. Pete Sessions (R-Texas-17), John Carter (R-Texas-31), Michael McCaul (R-Texas-10), Randy Weber (R-Texas-14), Roger Williams (R-Texas-25), Brian Babin (R-Texas-36), Jodey Arrington (R-Texas-19), Michael Cloud (R-Texas-27), Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas-02), Lance Gooden (R-Texas-05), Pat Fallon (R-Texas-04), Ronny Jackson (R-Texas-13), Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas-24), Jake Ellzey (R-Texas-06), Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas-15), Wesley Hunt (R-Texas-38), Morgan Luttrell (R-Texas-08), Nathaniel Moran (R-Texas-01), Keith Self (R-Texas-03), Tony Gonzales (R-Texas-23), and Craig Goldman (R-Texas-12).