Texas faces hospital access issues amid rural closures, nurse shortages

DALLAS (KDAF — According to a new study by ConciergeMD, Texas has low hospital density and ranks 25th nationwide, with approximately 0.96 hospitals per 100,000 residents.

The study says there are widespread hospital deserts, with 64 out of 254 counties having no hospital facilities, leaving many rural residents without local care. There are also high rural hospital closures: Texas leads the nation with 26 rural hospital closures since 2010.

The analysis ranked all 50 states by hospital density and flags risk factors for further decline, including staffing, infrastructure, and policy challenges.

Dr. Neal Kumar, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of ConciergeMD, said, “With vast rural areas and a growing population, Texas faces a healthcare access crisis compounded by the closure of 26 rural hospitals over the past decade. More than a quarter of the state’s counties have no hospital facilities at all, forcing residents to travel long distances for care. Nurse shortages further limit capacity, with many hospitals reducing bed availability and services. Without systemic investment, Texas risks widening healthcare disparities, especially in rural communities.”

A growing shortage of qualified nurses is also straining hospitals across the state. Roughly 64% of Texas hospitals report operating with reduced bedcounts and limited services due to staffing gaps. These constraints compound the impact of facility closures and further reduce access to inpatient care and emergency services.