May 24, 2024
Judge rules for hospital district in suit over Dell Medical School funding
AUSTIN – On Tuesday, May 21, District Judge Amy Clark Meachum ruled in favor of Central Health, Travis County’s hospital district, in the Birch lawsuit. The plaintiffs, represented by attorney Fred Lewis, seek to overturn the will of Travis County residents, who in 2012 voted resoundingly to support Central Health’s $35 million annual funding of a medical school.
“We are grateful that Judge Meachum denied the plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgement,” said Ann Kitchen, chair of Central Health’s Board of Managers. “The plaintiffs’ contention that Central Health is violating Texas law is untrue, and the court has rightly rejected it.”
In addition to denying the plaintiffs’ motion, Judge Meachum granted portions of Central Health’s motion and dismissed all the claims against Central Health itself (which as a government agency typically cannot be sued), as well as any claims against its President and CEO, currently Dr. Patrick Lee, in his official capacity for past actions of the hospital district. What remains of the Birch lawsuit endeavors to stop Dr. Lee from certain future spending, including the annual payment to the University of Texas for use by Dell Medical School.
Birch would also specifically prevent Lee and Central Health from spending on initiatives that address social determinants of health — factors outside the clinic or hospital that make it possible for patients to have healthy outcomes, such as access to transportation to and from medical visits.
“Travis County voters have made a generous commitment to healthcare equity and innovation since the creation of Central Health 20 years ago,” said Kitchen. “Central Health is moving quickly to achieve the goals of our Healthcare Equity Plan to provide whole-person care to those who need it the most. This lawsuit argues that much of that whole person care is or could be illegal, which would be a terrible outcome for Travis County and all of Texas and contrary to what the medical community recognizes as the best way to care for people’s health.”
Central Health will continue to defend its efforts to expand healthcare infrastructure in Travis County and improve health outcomes for the patients it serves.