October 18, 2017
Oct. 18, 2017
Our attorneys will review the lawsuit and respond at the appropriate time in the appropriate venue. We look forward to finally resolving this issue even if that means doing so in court.
Based on the press release we received, it would appear the claims in the lawsuit are nothing new. They won’t deter Central Health from its mission of providing access to high quality care for Travis County residents with low income.
Today we’re serving more people than ever before. Last year we funded care for 143,642 Travis County residents with low-income – about 1 in 10 people in our county and a six percent increase over 2015.
As we’ve stated previously, we are confident Central Health’s investment in Dell Medical School at The University of Texas is legal and appropriate.
In 2012, Travis County residents voted to increase their property taxes so Central Health could transform the health care delivery system in Travis County and create a stronger, healthier community.
As a result of our affiliation agreement with Dell Med, today nearly 300 medical residents are working in Travis County hospitals and clinics serving people with low income. We’re also improving specialty care services for people who are low-income and uninsured.
We’re excited and inspired to continue our transformational work with the Dell Medical School so that everyone in Travis County, regardless of their income, address or background, has access to the best care available.
Background
As a reminder, in 2012 voters approved a 5-cent property tax increase. The referendum included the following ballot language:
“…funds will be used for improved healthcare in Travis County, including support for a new medical school consistent with the mission of Central Health, a site for a new teaching hospital, trauma services, specialty medicine such as cancer care, community-wide health clinics, training for physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals, primary care,
behavioral and mental healthcare, prevention and wellness programs, and/or to obtain
federal matching funds for healthcare services.”