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AUSTIN – The Texas Health and Human Services Commission today celebrated the grand opening of a new $200 million patient complex and administration building at Rusk State Hospital.
“The mental health of Texans remains a priority in Texas, which is why I made it an emergency item during the 2019 legislative session,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “Texas has allocated more than $25 billion to support and expand mental health services across our state since I’ve been Governor, and the grand opening of the newly renovated Rusk State Hospital will help provide more mental health services to patients in East Texas. This updated facility, which has a long history of serving the Rusk community, will ensure the hospital can continue to serve Texans for many years to come. I thank the Texas Health and Human Services Commission for their work with local and community partners to oversee the construction of this new state-of-the-art facility.”
Governor Abbott and the Texas Legislature approved approximately $200 million in funding for the state hospital’s construction since 2017.
“We’re excited to be able to offer our Rusk State Hospital patients care in a state-of-the art building that will help facilitate their recovery,” said Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Cecile Erwin Young. “Thank you to those who invested in our state hospitals so that we can give our patients the help they need.”
The three-story, 227,368 square-foot patient complex includes a 100-bed non-maximum-security unit and an expanded 100-bed maximum security unit. The 200-bed unit will increase the number of maximum-security unit beds from 40 to 100. The hospital's overall capacity will stay the same.
At the new Rusk State Hospital, primary design features include single-person rooms, the use of natural light throughout patient rooms and common areas, and outdoor spaces to promote healing and recovery. The hospital offers a variety of therapeutic, recreational and social experiences to prepare patients for life outside the hospital. The 200-bed patient complex also includes a theater, music room, beauty salon, canteen, library, gym, greenhouse and teaching kitchen.
The new two-story administration building is 18,900 square feet and accommodates the administration department and IT staff. Construction on the building was completed in 2021.
Since 2017, Texas leaders have appropriated more than $3.2 billion in funding for the replacement, renovation, or expansion of state hospitals in Austin, Kerrville, Rusk, San Antonio, Houston and Dallas.
Operating since 1919, Rusk State Hospital offers inpatient adult psychiatric services to people in 36 counties throughout East Texas. The hospital serves approximately an average of 270 people annually.
For more information about state hospital construction projects throughout the state, visit the Changes to the State Hospital System page on the HHS website.