Rural Health

In April, the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and Texas A&M University Health Sciences Center hosted a tour of a clinic built in a retrofitted shipping container in Burton, Texas. It’s the latest collaboration in an ongoing effort to bring community-run clinics to rural areas, where access is harder to achieve.

Monday evening, Texas Tech University confirmed that quarterback Brendan Sorsby is parting ways with Texas Tech football to enter the NFL supplemental draft. Our Brad Burt reports the announcement came hours after the Big 12 Conference filed a complaint in federal court, seeking legal confirmation to potentially impose sanctions against Texas Tech if Sorsby was allowed to play. The Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals’ Clinically Integrated Network is terminating all contracts with United Healthcare over “unsustainable” reimbursement. The director of TORCH CIN says he wants to continue working with UnitedHealthcare, but the major insurance company isn’t treating rural hospitals fairly.

TORCH CIN, a physician-hospital organization representing 45 rural and community hospitals across Texas, announced Friday it will end its contracts with UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company over "unsustainable" reimbursement rates. The leader of TORCH CIN said the current rates pose an "existential threat" to rural hospitals.

President Donald Trump has chosen Dr. Jennifer Shuford with the Texas Department of State Health Services as his pick for Deputy Director and Chief Medical Officer of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. KUT's Olivia Aldridge has more on Shuford's leadership through the state’s response to a measles outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic. A new 120,000-square-foot cancer center is opening on the University Medical Center campus, intending to provide more localized treatment for patients who often have to drive six hours or more for the latest care.

Independent rural pharmacists are starting other businesses or selling baby shower gifts to keep their stores operating. Pharmacy deserts affect 4 million Texans.

Texas has the largest number of rural hospitals in the country. In the past decade, 14 of the state’s rural hospitals have closed and another 82 are at risk of closure, according to a recent report from the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform. Despite funding challenges, some rural hospitals are continuing and even expanding services through community support.

A recent study finds rural nurses have to navigate a lack of resources and support when training to provide specialized sexual assault care. And Texas is officially the first state to stop relying on the American Bar Association to approve law schools. KERA's Toluwani Osibamowo reports an order this week gives that responsibility to the Texas Supreme Court. Meanwhile, flu cases in Texas continue to surge, reaching their highest numbers so far this flu season.

Texas Tech University's football team made a key addition to its roster this weekend. Our reporter Bishop Van Buren breaks down the commitment of top transfer prospect Brendan Sorsby. Texas will receive more than $1.4 billion in federal funding over 5 years to address health care and access needs in rural areas. KERA’s Abigail Ruhman reports it is the largest award received by any state.

Months after public health officials say they caused the nation’s largest measles surge in 30 years, some West Texas Mennonites have grown more skeptical of the mainstream medical system.

About 1,500 rural hospitals were eligible to convert to "Rural Emergency Hospitals" beginning in 2020. Researchers at UT Arlington want to take a closer look at the 40 hospitals that entered the program to understand whether it has improved access to care in rural communities.