Texas governor Greg Abbott has announced a $4.5m grant from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) for four specific rural hospitals in Texas, US.

This grant, called the Texas Rural Emergency Hospitals Financial Stabilization Grant, will provide each hospital with up to $1.1m over two years to enhance healthcare services in rural communities.

The eligible hospitals are Crosbyton Clinic Hospital, Anson General Hospital, Falls Community Hospital and Clinic in Marlin, and St Marks Medical Center in La Grange.

Each of these hospitals will receive $750,000 in the first year and $375,000 in the second year, distributed quarterly, to use for operational costs, debt payments, facility repairs, or equipment acquisition.

To qualify for the grant, hospitals must hold both a state Limited Services Rural Hospital licence under the Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 241, Subchapter K, and a federal Rural Emergency Hospital designation from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services by 31 August 2023.

The application deadline is 13 October 2023.

In addition, Abbott and the Texas Legislature have committed $25m annually, starting 1 September 2023, to support rural hospitals.

The HHSC will oversee grant funding and programmes to ensure access to hospital services for rural Texans.

Abbott said: “The state of Texas continues working to ensure Texans in all corners of our state have greater access to quality healthcare services.

“I thank the Texas Health and Human Services Commission for helping to provide this grant opportunity to support rural emergency hospitals in caring for Texans in their community.

“Expanding access to rural healthcare remains a priority as we work together to build a healthier, stronger Texas of tomorrow.”