Texas Hospitals To Receive $84 Million To Help Retain Doctors

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has secured $84 million to help fund physician resident positions at public teaching hospitals across Texas, according to a news release. The money, which was obtained through graduate medical education payments from Medicaid, will be used at non-state, government-owned and operated teaching hospitals and "will help expand the state’s ability to attract and retain doctors," Texas HHSC said.

“Texas is pursuing every available funding option to help make health care in Texas even stronger,” executive commissioner Dr. Courtney N. Phillips said in the news release. ”Enhanced funding and solid partnerships with hospitals will take us to the next level in terms of quality care and keeping Texas doctors here.”

Hospitals across the state that are able to receive this new funding include:

• Harris County Hospital District, Houston
• Hunt Regional Medical Center, Greenville
• John Peter Smith Hospital, Fort Worth
• Medical Center Hospital, Odessa
• Midland Memorial Hospital, Midland
• Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas
• University Health System, San Antonio
• University Medical Center of El Paso
• University Medical Center, Lubbock

The state aims to expand the graduate medical education funding efforts to all teaching hospitals in the state.

"As a state, we must do everything we can to attract and retain the best possible doctors for the people of Texas. I appreciate that we're all working together to pursue funding for Texas hospitals to expand and improve care through graduate medical education and maximize dollars for healthcare in Texas," Sen. Kirk Watson said in the news release.