In this special live episode from the Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals (TORCH) Conference, we dive into breaking policy news and its impact on rural healthcare. Governor Abbott’s recent signing of HB 18 brings $5 billion toward mental health service infrastructure, but looming federal Medicaid cuts could cost Texas $39 billion over the next decade—threatening access for rural communities. We unpack the numbers, the politics, and the implications for hospitals and patients alike, while also bringing you the lighter side of Austin with stories of bat bridges, honky-tonks, driverless Ubers, and even a donut-and-beer run.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Hear highlights from the TORCH Conference and Governor Abbott’s signing of major healthcare legislation.
• Understand how HB 18 and new funding streams aim to expand Texas’ mental health infrastructure.
• Learn about the projected $39B Medicaid cuts and their implications for rural hospitals.
• Explore the challenges and opportunities facing rural healthcare leaders in Texas.
• Enjoy lighter moments from Austin, including bats, honky-tonks, driverless Ubers, and a donut-and-beer run.
  
  
  

The key moments in this episode are:
 00:00:07 - Introduction & Live from TORCH Conference
 00:01:10 - Governor Abbott’s Visit & Legislative Signing
 00:02:20 - HB 18 and $5B for Mental Health Infrastructure
 00:07:49 - Medicaid Cuts: $39B Losses Over 10 Years
 00:10:15 - Impact on Rural Hospitals & Communities
 00:12:45 - Conference Stories and Networking Highlights
 00:14:07 - Austin Adventures: Bats, Honky-Tonks & Driverless Ubers
 00:16:30 - Donut & Beer Run Tradition
 00:18:00 - Closing Reflections & Takeaways

Links:

• https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/HB18/2025
• https://www.texaspolicyresearch.com/bills/89th-legislature-hb-18/
• https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/texans-who-might-lose-medicaid-after-trump-cuts-are-very-worried-22679500
• https://www.houstonchronicle.com/health/article/texas-medicaid-cuts-big-beautiful-bill-20774741.php
• https://www.kff.org/medicaid/allocating-cbos-estimates-of-federal-medicaid-spending-reductions-across-the-states-enacted-reconciliation-package/ 
• https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/state-budget-fallout-trump-health-funding-cuts-obbba/ 

Connect with us: 

https://ruralpolicypartners.com/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/linkedin.com/company/rural-policy-partners/ 

https://www.facebook.com/facebook.com/ruralpolicypartners

https://www.youtube.com/@ruralpolicypartners

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jC_dRDo6F4k