The why
Officials again cited concerns over transparency and the adequacy of the health provider’s documentation.
Precinct 2 Commissioner Brigid Shea said the county has “repeatedly” voiced concerns regarding the $35 million in annual taxpayer dollars given from Central Health to Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin.
“In a budget resolution that Central Health presented to this court in 2022 and was then passed, they indicated that they would provide details on clear reporting of the expenditures from the permitted investment of $35 million a year," Shea said. "So that's an adopted budget resolution by Central Health, but we have yet to see that."
Shea explained that this document is necessary for obtaining and maintaining trust from the public and county officials.
A recent third-party audit of the organization also called for greater reporting and documentation to be conducted and shared by both Central Health and Dell Med.
“We would also request that in our next quarterly meeting, that the dean of the UT Medical School present information to the public and to [commissioners] on how they are spending the $35 million, particularly as it fits with Central Health's mission,” Shea added.
A closer look
Travis County Judge Andy Brown acknowledged Central Health's recent efforts to improve communication with the court and the public over the last year, adding that recently appointed CEO Dr. Patrick Lee has instituted positive changes regarding communication and reporting practices.
Lee previously 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% since 2020, reaching a total of 85,701 enrollees this fiscal year.
In the last year, 12,211 unique patients at UT Health Austin, the clinical practice of Dell Med, used MAP, Medicaid or Medicare—38% of all unique patients.
The Dell Med has contributed to the metro’s overall health care ecosystem, Lee said.
According to a statement from Dell Med, in the first decade of operations, the medical school has:
- Trained nearly 600 residents and fellows in medical specialties, like cardiology and neurology
- Graduated over 230 medical students
- Attracted over $100 million in health research funding
- Recruited nearly 450 faculty physicians to Austin
- Provided over 1 million hours of care
“This support was critical to the construction of Dell Medical School and the continued expansion of our clinical services, medical education and research capabilities,” Dell Med wrote in its statement to Community Impact. “... Our care capacity will be further enhanced over the next five years with the construction of a new specialty care hospital and an MD Anderson Cancer Center, both on the UT campus, in addition to significant expansion of our outpatient clinics. This work is transforming health care in our community, and we are grateful to the people of Travis County for the trust placed in us in 2012—an investment that continues to result in improved health.”
What’s next
Central Health’s proposed budget and tax rate increase will be brought back to commissioners Sept. 24 for a final decision.
The organizations is seeking an 18% increase from last fiscal year—including a new tax rate of $0.107969 per $100 valuation, or about $66 more per year on the average homeowner's property taxes—intended for an expansion of its specialty care services, such as cardiology, nephrology, rheumatology and endocrinology.
Additionally, the district plans to broaden its behavioral health services and respite care for homeless patients.
Should commissioners approve the proposed budget, the new tax rate will go into effect Oct. 1.
