Government
BY HALEY MCLEOD
Travis County commissioners authorized an $888.7 million budget for Central Health’s 2024-25 fiscal year, which includes a tax rate increase. In recent years, the district launched its seven-year Healthcare Equity Plan—a nearly $700 million initiative to invest in more direct care methods and clinics. With the approved new tax rate, this year’s budget saw a $58.2 million increase in funding, totaling $353.5 million, outlined for these direct health care services for FY 2024-25. Central Health budget passes
What we know
The backstory
Support for improved health within the county dates back to 2012, when voters approved a tax rate increase that included plans for a new medical school. Lee informed commissioners that Central Health has increased enrollment in its Medical Access Program—which provides care for the county’s low-income and uninsured population—by 36% over the last four years. Today, there are over 85,000 individuals enrolled in the program. Last year, UT Health Austin—the clinical practice of Dell Med—served over 12,000 unique patients, with 38% of patients using the Medical Access Program, Medicaid or Medicare. Moving forward, Central Health will provide quarterly updates to commissioners, who have also requested that Dell Medical School officials give an update on services provided.
Although the hospital district’s budget was approved unanimously, commissioners impressed upon Central Health leadership the need for greater transparency, again calling out the annual $35 million financial arrangement with Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin as well as a recent clash with its clinical partner CommUnityCare. Since 2014, Dell Med has received $35 million of taxpayer dollars annually—paid by Central Health—with the intent to support increased capacity for greater care of the area’s poorest residents. The money was used initially to fund the creation of the Dell Medical School and has subsequently been used to largely pay staff salaries, according to a recent third-party audit. However, the report revealed that due to a lack of consistency in reporting and communica- tion by each agency, auditors were unable to link the salaries paid to a direct number of outcomes or number of patients served. Both Judge Andy Brown and Precinct 4 Com- missioner Ann Howard raised questions over a recent decision to place Jason Fournier, the CEO of CommUnityCare, on administrative leave due to allegations yet to be announced to commis- sioners, the public and even Fournier himself. Dr. Patrick Lee, Central Health’s president and CEO, explained that the allegations were of a “critical nature” and that investigators were currently waiting on key documents that had been requested roughly two weeks prior. Before approving the budget, commissioners passed a motion directing staff to investigate legal options related to the school’s use of funds and further legal counsel regarding the dispute between Central Health and CommUnityCare.
What residents need to know The average tax bill will increase this year for Travis County residents.
In the first decade of operations, Dell Medical School has:
Trained nearly 600 residents and fellows in medical specialties, such as cardiology and neurology
Fiscal year
2023-24
2024-25
Graduated over 230 medical students
Average taxable homestead value
$475,286 $504,003
Attracted over $100M in health research funding
$0.100692 per $100 valuation
$0.107969 per $100 valuation
Tax rate
Recruited nearly 450 faculty physicians to Austin
Estimated tax bill
$478.57
$544.17
Provided over 1 million hours of care
SOURCE: CENTRAL HEALTH/COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: DELL MEDICAL SCHOOL/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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