Why health care is still hard to access in rural towns near Texas’ bigger cities

Main Street in downtown Ralls on Sept. 1, 2022. (Credit: Mark Rogers for The Texas Tribune)

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RALLS — On a map, this small town in the South Plains seems well positioned for residents to find health care. With nearly 1,700 residents, Ralls is nestled between Crosbyton, about 10 miles away, and Lubbock, about 30 miles away, both of which have hospitals and emergency rooms.