Infomaniacs: April 30, 2012 (7:40am)

AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today announced that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) plans to award $8 million in Rural Texas Strong grants to 28 rural healthcare providers throughout the state. “Your address should not determine the quality of care you receive,” said Governor Abbott. “Rural Texas will not be left behind. This more than $8 million investment will expand access to care, strengthen facilities across Texas communities, and help to recruit and retain the next generation of healthcare professionals.” “The Trump Administration’s Rural Health Transformation Program has a simple formula for success: state innovation backed by federal funds equals lasting improvements for rural communities,” said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “Investing in locally driven solutions is an important step toward achieving that vision for rural Texas and CMS is excited to partner with states to build stronger, more resilient rural health systems.” “Every Texan should be able to receive quality healthcare in the community they call home,” said HHS Executive Commissioner Stephanie Muth. “This funding will help rural providers modernize their facilities, improve care for people with chronic conditions, and attract and retain the health care professionals their communities need.” Funding announced today will advance the following Rural Texas Strong initiatives: The “Make Rural Texans Healthy Again” initiative helps rural hospital districts improve health outcomes and chronic disease conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, or obesity. The “Next Generation of the Small Town Doctor and Team” initiative supports rural communities in recruiting, training and retaining physicians, emergency medical professionals, and other health care workers. The “Infrastructure and Capital Investments for Rural Texas” initiative supports rural healthcare providers by replacing aging medical equipment and improving existing facilities. The awards are part of a historic investment of an estimated $1.4 billion in federal funding over five years to improve rural healthcare throughout the state. Funding will be available after contracts are finalized. A list of all recipients is available here. The $8,145,444.89 is a portion of the $281,319,360.67 first‑year award HHSC received from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Rural Health Transformation Program. Rural Texas Strong, the CMS-approved state plan, is 100% federally funded through the Rural Health Transformation Program and features six initiatives to provide funding for rural communities to improve access to healthcare. Federal funding is contingent upon meeting all applicable program requirements. Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.

Today in Brazos Valley On The Record we sit down with Mike Riggens from City of Bryan Parks and Recreation to highlight what’s new in Bryan parks, some of the hidden gems, and parks with improvements on deck headed into next year. Hear the full conversation below:

A woman was arrested for driving while intoxicated early Wednesday. A Brazos County Sheriff’s Deputy reported seeing a vehicle speeding and drifting between lanes on Highway 6 near Peach Creek around 2:30am. Arrest reports say 23-year-old Hayley Michelle Euhlinger was clocked doing 99 MPH in a 75 MPH zone. Officers say her speech was slurred and smelled of alcohol. She denied consuming alcohol, but failed a field sobriety test. Breathalyzer tests administered as she was being booked into the Brazos County Jail showed results of  0.168 and 0.170, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08. Euhlinger was charged with Driving While Intoxicated with a Blood Alcohol Concentration of 0.15 or greater. She is free on $9,000 bond. Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.