The Rotary Club welcomed Preston Poole, Policy Coordinator at the Texas Association of Community Health Centers (TACHC), an association which focuses on state and federal legislative policy solutions that benefit both medical providers and patients located in medically underserved communities. Preston holds a bachelor’s degree from Rhodes College in Memphis and a master’s degree from the University of Texas LBJ School for Public Affairs. Preston defined what it means to be a health center (hc) and discussed what they do in Texas. A health center mirrors the community which it serves. Beginning in the 1960s, health centers were designed to offer all in one primary care that is integrated with other medical support needs, such as dental, vision, and behavioral. Throughout the U.S., health centers serve 30 million people in more than 13,000 rural and urban communities. What makes health centers different from other clinics is that health centers must provide primary care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay; they charge for their services on a sliding scale based on the patient’s income. Health centers serve those in the community who may be uninsured or who are classified as low-income clientele. Health centers accept Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance. A health center board is unique because the center itself is patient-centered with 51% of the board composed of patients from that health center. To serve the underserved, health centers are primarily located in areas that suffer from a shortage of health services.

Health centers in Texas have received bi-partisan support in the legislature and Preston noted that Senator John Cornyn has been a vocal advocate. In Texas, health centers serve 1 in 17 Texans and according to 2021 numbers, health centers served 1,742,559 patients in 137 counties with a total of 6,275,739 visits. Preston noted that he just received the 2022 numbers, and you may add at least an additional 30,000 to the number of patients serviced and 100,000 to visits. Health centers in Texas boast 650 clinic sites including mobile and stationary centers. Preston noted that “Once you’ve see one health center, you’ve seen ONE health center.” They are all different, they all service different areas, they all serve their community. Some sites serve public or charter schools. Preston noted that health centers are also actively working to increase literacy for children and a patient visit may include a prescription for a book. Preston also indicated that telehealth is a rising need with over 800,000 visits logged; 50% of mental health visits were virtual in 2022. Health centers employ over 12,500 FTE staff and add $2.6 billion to the Texas economy.

Health centers partner with medical and nursing schools for training. Preston remarked that there are always ways to partner with health centers to create access to much needed health care, and to keep employees healthy.

Preston reiterated that state support has made health care a reality for many Texans. Heath centers succeed in providing affordable health care as well as keep patients out of expensive emergency rooms. Preston enthusiastically showed how heath centers clearly benefit Texans.

Photos by: Karen Bourdier