AUSTIN, Texas — Governor Greg Abbott has announced a significant investment aimed at improving mental health care access in rural areas of Texas. On Thursday, Abbott revealed that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) would allocate $239 million in construction grants to expand inpatient mental health services in underserved regions.
The grants will help rural communities provide necessary psychiatric care and stabilize patients with acute mental health issues, eliminating the need for long-distance travel to major urban centers for treatment.
“Texas is committed to ensuring that every resident has access to vital mental health services, regardless of where they live,” said Governor Abbott. “This $239 million investment will bolster inpatient mental health care, allowing rural communities and local governments to treat patients with acute psychiatric conditions closer to home.”
The funding will be distributed to four hospitals across the state to support the creation of up to 332 beds for mental health patients:
- $85 million will be allocated to DHR Health in Edinburg, providing up to 100 beds.
- $64 million will fund repairs, renovations, and the addition of 72 beds at Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas in Beaumont.
- $50 million will expand the Montgomery County Mental Health Treatment Facility in Conroe, adding up to 100 beds.
- $40 million will support the construction of a new facility in Victoria County, providing up to 60 beds.
Additionally, as part of funding approved during the 88th legislative session, these facilities will allocate at least 50% of their bed capacity to forensic patients. Forensic patients are individuals admitted through the criminal justice system for mental health evaluations to determine if they are fit to stand trial.
Abbott expressed his gratitude to the Texas Legislature and the Health and Human Services Commission for their continued focus on expanding mental health services throughout the state. The construction grants represent a vital step toward addressing the growing need for mental health resources in rural Texas.
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