Baker Institute: Texas Won the Largest Rural Health Transformation Award ($281M) but the Smallest Per-Capita Share ($66/Rural Resident)

A June 18 Baker Institute (Rice University) analysis of the federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP; $50B over five years) finds Texas received the largest first-year state award nationally (more than $281M, per KFF) but — because of its huge rural population — just $66 per rural resident, the lowest per-capita amount of any state (versus more than $500 per rural resident in eight other states, and less than $100 in ten).

Texas's 'Rural Texas Strong' application proposed non-emergent transportation including travel to 'grocery stores that sell U.S. grown produce, dairy, and meat' as a health-related social-needs strategy. The authors reviewed all 50 states' RHTP applications, with clarifications from state officials sought in May and June 2026.

For Texas FQHCs and rural clinics competing for RHTP workforce and equipment funding, the analysis quantifies why the state's headline number stretches thin per community.