This election, there’s a $2.5 billion bond concern on the poll that seeks to finance the rebuilding and upgrading of Harris Well being’s services, that are shortly reaching their finish of use and have been working at near-full capability for years. If handed, proponents contend this bond referendum will present much-needed funding for the general public security internet.
The American Faculty of Surgeons recommends having one high-level trauma heart for each a million folks. At the moment, Harris County has two grownup Stage I trauma facilities, serving a inhabitants of virtually 4.8 million. With Houston being the second fastest-growing main metropolitan space within the U.S., and Harris County projected to have over six million residents by 2050 (with greater than 1.5 million uninsured), extra care capability is required.
Listed here are a few of the causes to contemplate supporting this bond with a “sure” vote.
Motive 1: Harris Well being gives medical care to uninsured and underinsured folks in our county, but additionally serves first responders, notably regulation enforcement officers who’re severely injured on the job. But the Harris Well being system has been sorely uncared for over the previous couple of a long time.
Motive 2: The infrastructure at Harris County’s two hospitals, Ben Taub and LBJ, is outdated and in want of great restore. A few of the Bond funds will go in direction of the development of a brand new Stage I-capable trauma heart exterior the Texas Medical Heart, changing the present Harris Well being Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) Hospital and offering the mandatory investments into Harris Well being Ben Taub Hospital to increase its life span.
“With out quick public funding, our hospitals and emergency rooms will proceed to exceed capability each day. We have to act now to handle the quick wants but additionally put together for the inevitable progress in demand as Harris County grows,” stated Arthur Bracey, MD, chair, Harris Well being System Board of Trustees.
Motive 3: Harris County wants to have the ability to take care of its individuals who want psychological well being companies. Thurgood Marshall Schol of Legislation professor Marcia Johnson says, “Funds from this bond will permit the system to develop companies Harris Well being gives to handle psychological healthcare.”
Motive 4: Johnson added that bond funds would permit Harris Well being to develop its capability for care by including group clinics. Harris Well being seeks to determine new group clinics in northwest, southwest and east Harris County to succeed in high-density, low socio-economic communities. Furthermore, capability can be expanded through the institution of a brand new and much-needed trauma heart, avoiding delays in remedy for sufferers who’re victims of a serious trauma.
“Anybody at the moment who’s the sufferer of a serious trauma, a stab wound, a gunshot wound, within the north, northwest, northeast Harris County must be pushed or flown into the Texas Medical Heart,” stated Dr. Esmaeil Porsa, CEO of the Harris Well being System.
Porsa added over half of the bond funds can be used to construct a brand new trauma hospital and supply psychological healthcare companies at LBJ.
Motive 5: Utilization of bond funds will embrace the wants of the group as recognized by the group.
“Harris Well being has agreed with the group to determine an institute to check and determine options to medical disparities that plague so lots of our residents; we embrace alternatives for group inclusion within the jobs created by constructing and working these services; we agreed to make sure that all elements of the group may have the chance to take part in contracting and vendor solicitations.”
Houston Public Media contributed to this text.
