Texas Ag Commissioner talks rural hospital grant, potential cabinet position

Nearly $24 million will go toward technological improvements for Texas rural hospitals, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced on Tuesday. 

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Nearly $24 million will go toward technological improvements for Texas rural hospitals, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced on Tuesday. 

The program aims to help hospitals upgrade existing technologies to improve medical services and telehealth capabilities. Funding is also intended to enhance communication between hospitals and statewide specialists by expanding broadband infrastructure. 

“We have a lot of challenges,” Miller said, citing a large population of uninsured and elderly residents in rural counties. “And we have the two most accident-prone occupations, farming and field work. So it's critical that we get good connectivity out into these rural communities.” 

The $23.9 million was originally part of a federal COVID relief fund, reallocated for broadband improvements. A separate $50 million for rural hospitals was set aside in the state’s Health and Human Services department last legislative session. 

Miller says the money will be available to every rural hospital as a $100,000 grant. The application closes May 2. 

“We're pretty nimble for a government agency, and we'll get those turned around,” the commissioner said. “We'll be getting those checks out for broadband improvements in the month of May.”

Miller mentioned as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture candidate

Miller is the top name discussed as a potential candidate for U.S. Secretary of Agriculture if former President Donald Trump is elected in the 2024 election, according to a Politico article citing sources close to Trump.

Miller said he has not directly spoken to Trump about the job, but expressed interest in the position. 

“I think it’s premature,” Miller said. “We got to get the man elected first, and that's what I'm concentrating on.”

The commissioner shared that he was vetted and prepared to take the job in 2020 if Trump won the election and former USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue retired. 

In a statement on X, Miller did not directly address the rumor, instead choosing to “reinforce” his support for Trump, saying the former president “is the best friend of America's farmers, ranchers, agriculture, and aquacultural workers.” 

For now, Miller is expressing support for Lt. Governor Dan Patrick’s recent list of legislative priorities. “We do a lot of things that make Texas a great place, but there's a lot of things we can do better,” he said.