Central Health is preparing its 2027 budget, and the decisions made now could directly impact health care access for thousands of Travis County residents.
Ted Burton of Central Health joined Trevor Scott to explain where the organization hopes to invest its resources, how local property taxes help fund its work, and how residents can have a voice in the budget process.
Ted Burton of Central Health joined Trevor Scott to explain where the organization hopes to invest its resources, how local property taxes help fund its work, and how residents can have a voice in the budget process.
What Does Central Health Do?
Central Health is the Travis County Hospital District, providing and connecting residents with health care services throughout the community.
“We serve about 200,000 people every single year,” Burton said. “That’s one in six Travis County residents.”
Central Health primarily serves residents with low incomes and people who are uninsured. Its partnerships also include programs that provide health coverage for members of Austin’s music community.
What’s in the 2027 Budget?
Burton described the annual budget as a roadmap for how Central Health will provide care in the coming year.
“It will determine where we spend money, how we spend money, with the ultimate goal of helping people have access to care when they need it, where they need it,” Burton said.
Among the biggest priorities under consideration for 2027 is reducing wait times for specialty care.
“You’ve probably been in a situation where you were trying to see a specialty care doctor, and they say, ‘We can see you in three months or six months,’” Burton said. “That’s not acceptable.”
Central Health hopes to expand access and open additional clinics, helping patients receive treatment sooner and potentially preventing health concerns from becoming more serious.
“The longer somebody waits, they don’t just magically get healthier,” Burton said. “They might get sicker.”
Improving access could also help keep patients from relying on emergency departments for care that may be better provided in another setting.
What Could It Mean for Taxpayers?
Central Health is funded in part through local property taxes, meaning its budget decisions also matter to Travis County taxpayers.
Burton said the final tax rate has not yet been determined.
“We have the lowest tax rate of any major urban hospital district in Texas, but we also have an obligation to make every tax dollar go as far as possible,” he said.
Central Health’s Board of Managers will continue considering budget options before making final decisions.
Residents Can Have Their Say
Because Central Health is a public entity, Travis County residents have opportunities to weigh in on the process.
A community conversation is scheduled for August 31, giving residents an opportunity to learn more and share feedback. A public hearing will follow in September, and Central Health’s board meetings are also open to the public.
“We want to be transparent. We want to be accountable,” Burton said. “We want people to make sure that their opinions and their voices are heard and listened to.”
Need Help Finding Health Care?
For residents who are uninsured or struggling to navigate the health care system, Central Health can also help determine whether they qualify for its Medical Access Program, or MAP, or other coverage options.
“The bottom line is you don’t have to go at it alone,” Burton said. “Central Health can help.”
Residents can learn more about health care assistance, the 2027 budget and upcoming opportunities for public input at CentralHealth.net, or call 512-978-8130 for assistance.
Central Health’s 2027 Budget could help shape health care access across Travis County