Since 2002, Project Access has offered free health care for more than 4,400 medically indigent patients.

Dr. Tom McHorse, a gastroenterologist and chairperson of Project Access, developed the idea with two considerations in mind: one, to give each physician in the Travis County Medical Society, under which Project Access operates, “a chance to do their fair share,” he said; and two, to serve patients who do not to qualify for assistance programs, such as Medicare, but cannot afford private insurance.

Travis County residents who are 19 years or older, not enrolled in other medical assistance programs and whose income is at or below 250 percent of the federal poverty line qualify for Project Access, which is funded by Central Health.

“It’s people who are self-employed or work for a restaurant, musicians,” TCMS COO Belinda Clare said.

Enrollees are able to make appointments with TCMS physicians who have volunteered their services. Armed with a Project Access identification card similar to any other proof of insurance, patients are able to receive care without any sort of stigma, McHorse said.

“Half the time the doctors don’t even know you’re [a] Project Access [patient] when you walk through the door,” Director Kathy Gichangah said.

Providing comprehensive preventive care is Project Access’ mission.

“If you do have the patient assigned to a medical home, when they start to feel sick they have a physician they can go to,” Clare said. “They don’t have to go to the emergency room.”

Shortly after its start, Project Access expanded its offerings to include specialty care in addition to primary care.

“The major need is [specialty care] because that’s where the longest lines are,” McHorse said.

The nonprofit is working with partners, such as the St. David’s Foundation and other medical assistance providers in Austin, to expand its specialty offerings and reach more patients.

In doing so, Project Access both serves as part of the city’s safety net and teaches patients to navigate the health care system so they are able to when they no longer need the lift.

“We take them to the fish,” Gichangah said.