"We don't have a lot of extra money this year, so our budget and our general budget in Harris County is under stress," Ramsey said.
Why it matters
For the second year in a row, Harris County budget officials attributed inflation, jail expenses and increased health care costs as key driving factors in the fiscal year 2024-25 budget process. While the county's proposed FY 2024-25 budget of $2.6 billion is less than last year's approved $2.7 billion budget, Harris Health is seeking $996 million out of the proposed budget.
Harris Health CEO Esmaeil Porsa said this transition of funding was a collaborative and cooperative effort. If the county budget passes, HH board members will also have to approve the funding transition, according to county budget officials.
"I believe at the end of the day, this is going to benefit all of Harris Health, the county and most importantly our patients and the residents of Harris County," Porsa said.
Kiki Teal, Harris Health's Correctional Health Program vice president of operations, spoke to Community Impact about how Harris Health oversees its jail population. Teal said, on average, approximately 68% of the individuals admitted into the Harris County Jail require some type of medical service.
Patients with chronic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, along with patients with mental illness and substance abuse disorders make up a large portion of the patients receiving treatment within the jail through the correctional health program.
By the numbers
Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones voted in favor of the motion, saying how the move aligns the county with best practices seen in other Texas counties.
"It will continue to enhance the quality of care that we are providing," Briones said.
Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia also voted in favor of the motion.
"This is one of the most centrally key items in our budget. This is really a new day for us," Garcia said.
