HEALTH CARE Hospital district faces lawsuit, audit; health disparities persist
2023 HEALTH CARE EDITION
TRAVIS COUNTY HEALTH OUTCOMES Disproportionate health outcomes such as life expectancy are seen in parts of Travis County with higher poverty rates.
Life expectancy in years at birth 56.9-75.1 75.2-77.5
77.6-79.5 81.7-97.5 No data
Travis County’s hospital district for low-income residents, Central Health, is facing several challenges, including concern about a lack of ser- vices, especially in the eastern part of the county, where health outcomes are traditionally worse. Central Health and its private partner, Ascension Seton, remain involved in legal action over claims about lacking care for low-income residents—echoing recent concerns from some residents and activists. Both parties have sued each other and now could potentially move into further negotiations or terminate their partnership. Local criticism of Central Health for its nancial man- agement and provision of care also prompted Travis County Commis- sioners to order a performance audit that kicked o in May and is set to be completed in January. BY KATY MCAFEE & BEN THOMPSON
The hospital district also faces a leadership change as Mike Geeslin, its president and CEO of six years, announced in April he will step down by the end of the year. A replacement could be hired by the fall. As Central Health contends with those issues, east side residents are still facing lacking health care options and outcomes compared with central and western areas of the county. “The eastern crescent of Austin has historically been underserved, especially concerning preventative services. Centers for health care and preventive services have often been located to the west of I-35, limiting access for East Austin residents,” said City Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison, who represents Northeast Austin. New initiatives underway could expand o erings in those commu- nities in the near future, including
79.6-81.6
620
130 TOLL
290
MOPAC
71
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Central Health’s equity-centered strategic plan to improve the region’s “safety-net” health care
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SOURCE: CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION COMMUNITY IMPACT
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system. Harper-Madison said the city and Austin Public Health are working to address disparities through several ongoing programs. Additionally, a city-backed devel- opment initiative in Northeast Austin—the Colony Park Sustainable Community—may also expand access
to housing, health care and other services. One piece of that master-planned neighborhood will be a health and wellness center managed by Central Health after Austin sold 2.28 acres there to the hospital district.
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