October 10, 2024
At Central Health, we are committed to enhancing healthcare access for those who need it most in Travis County. A crucial part of this effort is our longstanding partnership with CommUnityCare. Central Health President and CEO, Dr. Pat Lee, addresses this relationship in a video, shedding light on the importance of this collaboration and what it means for our community’s healthcare system.
The Role of Central Health and CommUnityCare
Central Health and CommUnityCare together form a public health center, a nationally recognized model designed to provide comprehensive care to vulnerable populations. Central Health, created by voters in 2004, initially took over 14 city- and county-owned clinics, establishing a foundation for a public healthcare system in Travis County. Then, in 2009, Central Health created CommUnityCare to manage and operate these health clinics directly, further strengthening primary care within the safety net healthcare system.
A common misconception is that CommUnityCare operates independently, like private entities such as Lone Star Circle of Care or People’s Community Clinic. However, CommUnityCare is part of Central Health, a public system funded by nearly $1 billion in taxpayer dollars over the years. Understanding this connection is critical because Central Health has a responsibility to Travis County taxpayers to oversee these funds properly and ensure that CommUnityCare fulfills its role as a public healthcare provider.
Why Transparency and Accountability Matter
There is a formal agreement governing how Central Health and CommUnityCare should operate together, ensuring transparency and accountability as a public health center. This agreement hasn’t always been fully adhered to. Recognizing the need to address this, Dr. Lee has been working closely with Dr. Nick Yagoda, acting CEO of CommUnityCare, to realign with the agreement and make improvements.
Financial transparency is a top priority for Central Health, as it’s essential for the responsible use of public funds. Dr. Lee and Dr. Yagoda have been collaborating to enhance transparency, starting with the work of their financial teams to provide a clearer picture of how resources are allocated. By doing so, Central Health aims to meet the needs of taxpayers and ensure the system remains robust, transparent, and effective.
We invite you to watch Dr. Pat Lee’s video message. In it, he delves deeper into this important partnership and our joint commitment to enhancing healthcare access for Travis County residents.