Thread: 400 attend hearing on indigent care in Collin County Texas

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400 attend hearing on indigent care

Collin: Commissioners plan vote on clinic funding within weeks


07:17 AM CDT on Wednesday, August 16, 2006

By ED HOUSEWRIGHT / The Dallas Morning News

Now it's time for action.

Collin County commissioners wrapped up more than a year of debate about indigent health care spending with a lively public hearing Monday.

About 400 people attended – some urging compassion for the less fortunate, others fiscal constraint.

Suspense is building as commissioners weigh public sentiment and a task force report that calls for $500,000 in additional funding for nonprofit clinics that treat the poor.

The five members of the Commissioners Court expect to vote on the health care recommendations in the next few weeks, although they haven't set a firm date.

Commissioner Phyllis Cole, a longtime supporter of public health care, said Tuesday that she's confident that a majority will vote to increase funding.

"I think we're OK," she said.

Commissioner Jerry Hoagland hasn't wavered in his opposition to greater spending on indigent health care.

"I don't think it's appropriate for me, as an elected official, to take money out of your pocket and make a decision on which charities should get it," Mr. Hoagland said to the audience Monday.

But the other three court members – County Judge Ron Harris and Commissioners Jack Hatchell and Joe Jaynes – haven't revealed how they will vote.

They have plenty to consider.

A task force that commissioners appointed recommends that funding for nonprofit clinics increase from $200,000 a year to $700,000. It also says an executive director should be hired to coordinate the county's indigent health care efforts. That person could receive about $100,000 a year in salary and benefits.

In addition to offering grants to nonprofits, the county operates a public clinic and reimburses hospitals for care provided to poor people. But to receive county services, residents must meet stringent income guidelines. For instance, a single person can't earn more than $4,900 a year.

On Monday, speakers opposed to greater funding repeatedly raised the issue of illegal immigrants. They said that if the county gave more money to nonprofit medical providers, more people living here illegally would receive care.

"We can't provide an open invitation to come and take advantage of our largesse," said Bill Mills of Fairview.

Those urging higher spending offered another perspective. They said that anyone who is sick and can't afford care – whether citizen or illegal immigrant – endangers public health.

Mr. Hatchell, without revealing how he would vote on the task force recommendations, said that argument makes sense.

"The illegals are a federal issue," he said. "The county can't close the border. Whether you agree or not, they're here and they get sick. They're not going to get well on their own."

Mr. Jaynes, however, raised a concern about increasing funding to nonprofit clinics. Generally, they concentrate their efforts in more populated areas, he said.

"I'm concerned about the 87-year-old lady who lives north of Blue Ridge," said Mr. Jaynes, who represents the county's rural area. "If we're going to continue our partnership, I'd like to see more mobility and outreach."

Jane Willard, co-chairwoman of the 25-member health care task force, said the recommendations for greater funding reflect the public's wishes. She urged commissioners to adopt them.

"We truly struggled with the issues," Ms. Willard said. "We believe if we coordinate our efforts and share the financial burden, we will have a much greater effect as we work to solve this very complex problem."

E-mail ehousewright@dallasnews.com

"The illegals are a federal issue," he said. "The county can't close the border. Whether you agree or not, they're here and they get sick. They're not going to get well on their own."

How about we stop pointing fingers at whose job it is, and be a part of the solution of cleaning up this mess eh?