San Marcos Receives Major Grant to Improve Health Care Access
In San Marcos, Community Action, Inc. has been awarded a significant $1 million grant from the St. David’s Foundation as part of their We All Benefit initiative. This funding is expected to make a big difference in how health care services are delivered in Hays County and other regions of Central Texas.
Impact on Community Services
Doug Mudd, the executive director of Community Action, Inc., expressed optimism about the grant. He emphasized, “This grant award is going to make a meaningful impact on the work we do in Hays and other Central Texas counties.” Mudd highlighted that access to healthcare is essential for fostering healthy families, ensuring academic success, maintaining employment, and ultimately lifting families out of poverty. The organization aims to collaborate with various local non-profit organizations to help spread information on the assistance available through these grant funds, striving to become a key resource for eligible Texans needing health services.
Funding for Health Care Access
The We All Benefit initiative has allocated a total of $7.4 million through 16 grants designed to support organizations working to improve health care access in the Central Texas area. The foundation’s funding opportunities were developed based on extensive community dialogue and feedback. As part of its mission to promote health equity in the region, the initiative will focus on increasing access to quality healthcare by supporting organizations that help Central Texans enroll in health insurance programs such as Medicaid, CHIP, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Starting from October 1, the two-year grant will prioritize enrolling eligible residents in Medicaid and additional government health insurance options. This comes at a crucial time, as approximately 2.1 million Texans have lost Medicaid coverage over the past two years, with almost half of these individuals being children. The loss of coverage has had serious consequences, causing many low-income families to miss vital medical appointments and placing a financial strain on health care providers who often must offer uncompensated care to uninsured patients.
Goals of Community Action, Inc.
Mudd noted that the goal of Community Action, Inc.’s project is to reach as many eligible individuals as possible to facilitate their enrollment in Medicaid and other publicly-supported health plans while offering case management to navigate the often complex application process. The organization is determined to simplify access to the needed services that can lead to better health outcomes for individuals and families in the area.
Collaborative Efforts in the Region
The funding will allow organizations, including Community Action, Inc., to expand operations at nearly 100 sites, which is crucial for addressing the immediate needs of high-need populations. This multi-faceted approach aims to boost enrollment and provide necessary guidance, ensuring that eligible Texans are aware of the health care services and benefits available to them.
Overall, this grant from the St. David’s Foundation marks a positive step forward for healthcare accessibility in San Marcos and surrounding counties. In a time when many families face challenging circumstances regarding healthcare access, the efforts from Community Action, Inc. and its partners can significantly impact the health and well-being of local communities.
With the funding in place, there’s hope that more residents will soon gain access to the health services they need, ultimately contributing to healthier families and stronger communities across Central Texas.
