Health care reform brings challenges to hospital district
By TODD ACKERMAN
Copyright 2010 Houston Chronicle
March 23, 2010, 10:54PM

Resources
Harris County Hospital District by the numbers
300,000 — number of patients treated annually at Harris County Hospital District
62 — percent of Harris County residents who don't have health insurance
90,000 - 120,000 — estimated number of uninsured illegal immigrants in Harris County



Illegal immigrants likely would become the largest patient pool of the Harris County Hospital District as a result of health care reform unless the taxpayer-funded institution can attract more insured patients than it currently serves, according to public health experts.

Hospital district President David Lopez said he's optimistic the district can better market itself to capture a larger percentage of covered patients but acknowledged that even if the district is successful, it must prepare for major shifts that will come with the landmark legislation President Barack Obama signed into law Tuesday.

“With more people qualifying for coverage beginning in 2014, some of whom will go to other hospitals for their care, there will be questions about how to best maintain our payer mix,â€