All 701 of Harris County's voting centers reported election results with 72% of votes in favor of funding the Harris Health $2.5B bond. Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia called the bond passage a "huge win" in his official statement. He said the county hospital district provides life-saving care to people without insurance and to first responders who have been injured on the job.
"This bond passage is a huge win for our tireless health care workers who have given so much and for all of Harris County," Garcia said.
Updated 7:30 a.m. Nov. 8
Harris County voters OK'd expanding health care access in the county with the passing of Proposition A with 700 of 701 voting centers reporting in the county.
- Votes in favor: 307,309
- Votes against: 117, 644
“We are proud of the trust and the love that residents of Harris County have expressed about Harris Health System by passing this bond proposal," Porsa said.
Election data shows that most ballots casted in favor of the Harris Health bond were completed during early voting.
- Early voting in favor: 153,440
- Election Day: 141,302
Updated 10:15 p.m. Nov. 7
Harris County election data shows voters have overwhelmingly supported Proposition A, the funding of Harris County's Hospital District, by 72.62% of votes.
- Harris Health officials will use the bond to place a new hospital on the Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital campus, renovate the original Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital building, enhance the capacity of Ben Taub Hospital, and provide additional clinics and essential care in high-need areas.
Quote of note
Harris Health President and CEO Dr. Esmaeil Porsa said in an email he is delighted to see voters invest in the future health of the community.
“We are proud of the the trust and the love that residents of Harris County have expressed about Harris Health System by passing this bond proposal," Porsa said.
What you need to know
- Votes in favor: 187,415
- Votes against: 70,646
Early voters in Harris County have overwhelmingly voted in favor of funding a $2.5 billion expansion of the Harris Health System.
- Votes in favor: 165,470
- Votes against: 61,588
If approved, the improvements are projected to cost the owner of a $300,000 property $6 more per month in taxes.
The background
The bond funding would allow the system to replace and renovate Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital; expand the capacity of Ben Taub Hospital; and create new community clinics in precincts 2, 3 and 4. Porsa said the hospitals have failing infrastructure, and the county population is rapidly growing.
The system is mandated by law to provide health care services to the uninsured and underinsured populations, but also serves the entire county.
By the numbers
Current countywide Harris Health health care operations include:
- The Harris Health Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital: 215 acute-care beds
- Harris Health Ben Taub Hospital: 402 acute-care beds
- 17 community health centers
- 8 homeless shelter clinics
- 4 multispecialty clinics
- 3 same-day clinics
- Dental center
- Mobile health units
- 854,313 clinic visits
- 147,496 emergency room visits
- 193,727 telehealth clinic visits
Texas has the highest rate of uninsured people in the country, according to the 2021 American Community Survey. In Houston, 1 in 4 people are without health insurance. Harris County’s population also continues to grow, making the county’s health system insufficient in meeting current needs and future demands, HHS officials said. Both hospitals are operating at over 90%-100% daily occupancy.
All results are unofficial until canvassed.
Visit communityimpact.com/voter-guide/election-results to see results from all local elections in your community.
