Send us a text

In this revealing episode, I share my vision for transforming healthcare delivery in Bell County through the creation of a dedicated hospital district. After six months of research, visiting successful models across Texas, and analyzing our current system's limitations, I'm convinced this approach offers the best path forward for our growing community.

Bell County currently allocates 8% of our general revenue budget (approximately $10 million annually) to indigent healthcare services, split between jail healthcare and community programs. But as our population grows and federal cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and the Local Provider Participation Fund loom, this system faces mounting pressure. The stark reality: without structural change, our most vulnerable residents will suffer as existing resources stretch thinner.

The hospital district model—already proven successful in Texas's largest counties—would consolidate indigent healthcare funding, public health responsibilities, and jail healthcare under one specialized entity. This would address troubling disparities in service levels between eastern and western Bell County while creating a focused, efficient approach to community healthcare needs.

What makes this proposal particularly practical is that Bell County residents already pay for indigent healthcare through county taxes. Creating a hospital district would transfer those existing funds to the new entity, ideally with a corresponding reduction in the county tax rate. The district would have dedicated healthcare professionals managing these critical services rather than competing with roads, law enforcement, and other county priorities.

My commitment is bringing this proposal to voters in November 2026. When democracy and healthcare access are on the line, we must choose to fight rather than surrender. Join me in exploring how a Bell County Hospital District could strengthen our community's health safety net for generations to come.

Support the show