Austin, TX - Austin—Healthcare. It’s a hotly debated topic both on the national level and here at home in Texas. Amid all the debate, pros and cons, and facts and figures, one truism remains: every day, people need a wide range of basic healthcare services: check-ups, prenatal care, management of chronic illnesses like diabetes, stroke prevention, and many other needs.
Today there’s good news in meeting these needs, for low income Central Texans who cannot afford healthcare. St. David’s Foundation is announcing that it is providing over $12 million in grants to local safety net clinics, where most low income Central Texans receive basic healthcare services for themselves and their families.
“Having a ‘medical home’ is crucial to good health. Knowing where you can go when you aren’t feeling well, and getting quality care--whether it is preventive, or when an illness or injury occurs, is essential to our community’s collective good health. By partnering with these hard-working clinics, we can better meet our mission to make Central Texas the healthiest community in the world,” said Earl Maxwell, CEO of St. David’s Foundation.
Iliana Gilman, Chief Executive Officer at El Buen Samaritano stated, “Last year, we provided more than 17,300 clinic visits. This means more than 5,700 individuals who are uninsured received essential healthcare and wraparound services because of St. David’s Foundation’s generous support. This allows us to not only keep up with the growing demand for healthcare, but to also provide quality care everyone deserves.”
Among the safety net agencies receiving grants, and the amounts given by St. David’s Foundation:
- CommuniCare Health Centers $793,697
- Community Health Centers of South Central Texas $587,564
- El Buen Samaritano $1,398,717
- Lone Star Circle of Care $5,135,283
- People’s Community Clinic $4,250,000
- Samaritan Health Ministries $100,000
- Volunteer Healthcare Clinic $105,250
St. David’s Foundation announced grants totaling over $33 million, including funds for the safety net clinics. Other nonprofits receiving funding are groups providing mental health services across the area, as well as dental care and healthcare services for children.