ميزانية السنة المالية 2027 حوار مجتمعي

The problem:

Health care until this point hasn’t been centralized—the community needs a health care system that helps people access care earlier, brings care closer to home, and makes it easier for people to move from one part of the system to the next.

The role of Central Health:

Central Health now serves about one in six Travis County residents and operates dozens of clinical sites across the county, especially in communities that have historically faced the greatest barriers to care.

That’s what made the difference for Michael Vasquez. After multiple sclerosis put him on the streets, a CommUnityCare physician and Central Health care team helped him find coverage, treatment, and a doctor to see him through it.

The problem:

Even when people have coverage and access to primary care, they may still wait too long to receive specialty care services. When care is delayed, health problems can worsen, chronic conditions can become harder to manage, and people end up in emergency rooms for care that could have happened earlier.

The role of Central Health:

Central Health has been expanding services so more people can get the right kind of care earlier. Over the last three years, the system has added 33 new specialty services, including cardiology, behavioral health, physical therapy, women’s health, podiatry, palliative care, and other specialty services.

That expansion reached Armando Vences. After a health crisis tied to alcoholism landed him in the hospital, a Central Health case manager and care team connected him with a behavioral health therapist, a psychiatrist, and a palliative care specialist who helped him move from crisis to recovery.

The problem:

Mental health care remains one of the largest gaps in the community. Too often, people experiencing a mental health crisis end up in emergency rooms, jails, or other settings that are not designed to provide appropriate behavioral health care. Families, first responders, providers, and people in crisis need a clearer path to timely, compassionate support.

The role of Central Health:

Over the last several months, Central Health has been working with the City of Austin, Travis County, and community partners like Integral Care to strengthen mental health care and build a more coordinated crisis response.

That kind of clearer path made the difference for Glenda Locke. After a medical crisis nearly took her life, a Central Health case manager and care team—including behavioral health and addiction medicine providers—stayed with her through recovery, instead of leaving her to navigate it alone.

The problem:

Even with our progress in FY2026, our community continues to face significant structural gaps in care. There is still work to do to expand access to care, reduce appointment wait times to two weeks, eliminate health disparities, and ensure everyone in Travis County has access to primary and specialty care no matter where they live.

The role of Central Health:

The Central Health Board of Managers approved a set of system priorities to guide FY2027 budget investments. These priorities and the proposed budget are grounded in our mission, vision, and values: caring for those who need it most, working toward a healthier Central Texas, and advancing stewardship, innovation, equity, and collaboration.