Healthcare Resources

Galveston County officials expand indigent health care program

August 31, 2016 – The Galveston County Daily News – By Chacour Koop
Galveston County officials have widened the pool of poor people who can qualify for its indigent healthcare program.

The commissioners court voted unanimously Tuesday to expand the program to include residents who earn as much as 100 percent of the federal poverty level, which is $11,800 a year for a single person, ranging to more than $40,000 for households of eight and more.

2016 Federal Poverty Guidelines

Household/100 percent amount

1 – $11,880
2 – 16,020
3 – 20,160
4 – 24,300
5 – 28,440
6 – 32,580
7 – 36,730
8 – 40,890

For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $4,160 for each additional person.

Commissioners vote for more changes in health care ‘of last resort’

December 27, 2014 – The Galveston County Daily News – By Erin Heffernan
The Galveston County Commissioners Court voted this month to ease qualifications for its specialist health care program for the poor – easing cuts voted in just last year.

UTMB rebounds 6 years after Ike’s damage

September 2, 2014 – Houston Chronicle – By Harvey Rice
Galveston – The morning after Hurricane Ike crashed into Galveston Island six years ago, David Callender surveyed the sea of mud coating the 84-acre University of Texas Medical Branch campus. The UTMB president saw oak tree limbs blocking the doors to John Sealy Hospital, which would be knocked out of service for the rest of the year.

A Galveston medical student describes life and dealth in the so-called safety net

November 13, 2013 – Texas Observer – By Rachel Pearson
I have received permission to share my patients’ stories, and changed or omitted some names. This is a personal essay; the views are my own and do not reflect those of St. Vincent’s House or St. Vincent’s Student-Run Free Clinic.

New twist on Galveston County emergency aid

November 17, 2013 – Houston Chronicle – By Harvey Rice
Galveston County thinks it can better assist residents who are down on their luck by eliminating the county department they come to for assistance. By eliminating the Social Services Department section that provided temporary aid for rent and utility payments, the county was able to shift its temporary assistance program to four non-profit agencies already performing the same service.

Legislator slams Galveston County indigent care decision

July 12, 2013 – The Galeston County Daily News – By Wes Swift
A key state lawmaker wasted no time making known his displeasure with the Galveston County commissioners’ recent decision to lower the threshold for indigent care, saying the decision viloated a state law that provided funds to help the University of Texas Medical Branch rebuild after Hurricane Ike.

Legislators: County indigent care vote could affect UTMB funding

July 11, 2013 – The Galveston County Daily News – By T.J. Aulds
Faced with the prospect that the state might not fund the reconstruction of the University of Texas Medical branch after Hurricane Ike, Galveston County Commissioners agreed to take unprecedented measures to fund indigent care.

Woman dies after U.S. refuses parental visit

January 7, 2013 – Houston Chronicle – By Harvey Rice
A Mexican immigrant died in Houston Sunday, four days after U.S. officials refused to allow the parents she had not seen in nine years to cross the border and visit her on her death bed.

Mainland hospital says UTMB shirking charity care

March 11, 2012 – Houston Chronicle – By Harvey Rice
Leaders of Galveston County’s only private hospital say a dramatic reduction in charity care by the tax-supported University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston is placing an increasing burden on the hospital and on doctors in private practice.

Hope dims for woman tossed from UTMB

February 9, 2012 – Houston Chronicle – By Harvey Rice
After doctors at The University of Texas Medical Branch forced undocumented patient Maria Sanchez out of John Sealy Hospital last year, Sanchez and her husband found new hope for treatment of a life-threatening spinal tumor at Houston’s Ben Taub Hosptial.

Report hits UTMB charity policy

January 12, 2012 – Houston Chronicle – By Harvey Rice
The University of Texas Medical Branch is turning away potential charity cases before they are financially screened and its charity policy is so vauge that it may violate state law, according to Lone Star Legal Aid and a new outside study.

Millions for indigent care unspent

December 17, 2011 – Houston Chronicle – By Harvey Rice
About $8 million in a special fund to provide hospital or specialized medical care for Galveston County’s poorest residents will go unused this year, perplexing social service agencies that say the need is great.

UTMB offers patient a ticket to Mexico

October 24, 2011 – Houston Chronicle – By Harvey Rice
Francisco Martinez wasn’t happy about the free trip back to Mexico offered to him by a social worker…

Illegal immigrant’s ouster at Galveston hospital raises questions

February 7, 2011 – Houston Chronicle – By Harvey Rice
The crushing news came last month as Maria Sanchez was being prepared for surgery to remove a banana-sized tumor along her spine that had crept between her vertebrae.