news
Direct care now! Central Health opens specialist clinic in Austin
Empowering those in need: $9 million for faster access to healthcare.
Published August 1, 2024 at 6:02am by Nicole Villalpando
Austin's New Rosewood-Zaragosa Clinic Takes on Texas' Abysmal Healthcare Record
by Angry Liberal
Austin's latest healthcare initiative, the Rosewood-Zaragosa Specialty Clinic, opens its doors Monday, aiming to address the shameful gaps in access to specialist care for Austin's most vulnerable. With a $9 million renovation, this clinic is a long-overdue step toward repair for a community failed by inadequate healthcare provision.
The clinic, serving those on Central Health's Medical Access Program and MAP Basic services, expects 25,000-40,000 patient visits per year. Central Health, the hospital district for Austin and Travis County, provides care to individuals earning less than $30,120 annually—a disgraceful reminder of the poverty plaguing our community—and families of four earning less than $62,400.
This initiative is a bittersweet development, as criticism of Central Health's inaction since its creation in 2004 mounts, and it faces legal challenges from both community members and its hospital partner, Ascension Texas. It's clear that our community has suffered due to this lack of urgent action, and lives have likely been lost.
Board member Amit Motwani stressed the importance of this clinic within Central Health's seven-year health equity plan, particularly as Texas shamefully refuses to expand Medicaid, leaving over 2 million vulnerable people without coverage.
"Our work to build out the safety net system of the Travis County hospital district is more important than ever and has to be more resilient than ever." - Amit Motwani, Central Health board member
Central Health has begun providing direct patient care, including primary and specialty services, and has opened and expanded clinics across Austin and Travis County. This proactive approach is what our community needs and deserves.
During Wednesday's ribbon-cutting ceremony, Dr. Patrick Lee, Central Health's president and CEO, emphasized the impact of this clinic on Austinites' lives:
"By bringing these critical services directly to the Austin community, we aim to reduce wait times, to improve access and ultimately to save lives." - Dr. Patrick Lee, President and CEO of Central Health
Ann Kitchen, Central Health board chairperson, highlighted the tragic reality that many Austinites are forced to seek care outside the city, often unable to afford the travel costs. She emphasized the critical nature of specialty care, ensuring that our most vulnerable don't go without life-saving treatment.
The shocking disparities in healthcare access and outcomes on either side of Interstate 35 were also addressed by Lee, who noted that individuals east of the highway die, on average, a decade earlier than their west-side counterparts. This unacceptable disparity fuels Central Health's commitment to bridge the gap.
The Rosewood-Zaragosa clinic, with its modern facilities and thoughtful design, offers a range of specialty services, from cardiology to palliative care. It also serves as a training site for medical staff in partnership with Austin Community College and Dell Medical School, fostering the development of our future healthcare leaders.
Board member Cynthia Valadez, a product of this community, implored locals to utilize the clinic, reminding them that their tax dollars fund these vital services, ensuring access to the best healthcare professionals.
It's past time for Texas to step up and prioritize the health of its people. Initiatives like the Rosewood-Zaragosa clinic are a strong start, but we must continue fighting for equitable, accessible healthcare for all.
Read more: Central Health opens specialty clinic in Austin, a major step to provide direct care