Texas Health and Human Services Commission

In a letter sent to state officials Friday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said he wants state agencies to investigate the Medicaid program after the Trump administration identified potential fraud in other states. He directed the agencies to implement several additional anti-fraud measures in the program.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott wants state agencies to implement new "strong anti-fraud measures" to a program that providers financial support to eligible families to pay for child care. It comes after the Trump administration froze federal funding to Child Care Services programs after a viral video claimed widespread fraud in Minnesota.

Texas is set to receive the largest award from the federal Rural Health Transformation Program — with federal officials awarding $1.4 billion to the state over five years. The state received millions more in funding that it asked for in its application.

UT Southwestern was selected by the state to run the Texas Behavioral Health Center — the first state behavioral health hospital in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The new hospital, set to open this summer, will provide inpatient services for people with serious mental health issues

Muth left the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services in July.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is proposing cuts to the reimbursement rates for certain services — like ventilators and wheelchairs. Providers told a public hearing Monday the new rates could hurt medical supply companies and their patients.

Texas' application for the Rural Health Transformation program requests $200 million every year of the five-year program. The state is proposing the "Rural Texas Strong" project, which includes a range of proposals to improve health care access and quality in rural areas — such as workforce development and utilizing AI.

Several major health agencies in Texas are under review by the state's sunset commission — including the Department of State Health Services and Health and Human Services Commission. Advocates said this cycle could have a significant impact on services and access moving forward.

As Texas develops its application for federal Rural Health Transformation Program funding, rural hospital leaders say stabilizing their facilities should be a top priority. "Without it, all the planning in the world will not matter because there will be no hospital left to transform," one said.

Texas health officials are asking for public input for the state’s application for a new federal rural health program. People can submit their comments through Tuesday, Sept. 9.

Group fundraising could help fill local budget gaps created by federal health defunding.

Inconsistent financial help could potentially burden Dallas County taxpayers with an estimated nearly $383 million per year for HIV prevention and treatment costs.