Health Care Inequity in
TRAVIS COUNTY
NAACP and LULAC Release
Central Health 'Red Flag' Report
AUSTIN, Texas ------ March 23, 2022, Health Equity First, a new joint project of NAACP-Austin and Texas LULAC District VII, released a detailed report showing that Central Health has eight serious financial, operational, and equity red flags. These red flags serve as a warning to the Travis County Commissioners Court (TCCC) and community that Central Health must be held accountable for providing healthcare effectively to the poor and for spending taxpayers funds efficiently. Health Equity First called on the Commissioners to immediately order a comprehensive, independent, third-party performance audit of Central Health.
ARE THE POOR SUBSIDIZING THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS?
A new documentary contends that $280 million in hospital district taxes for the poor’s health care in Austin has been improperly diverted to the UT Dell Medical School. Central Health, the area hospital district, provides $35 million annually to the medical school, which the film has alleged have provided no medical care for the poor. The film maintains these funds are illegally paying for medical education, research, and paying patients.
Health Equity First Austin
The Health Equity First Austin campaign seeks to raise awareness about the gap between taxes levied by public hospital and healthcare districts and funds ultimately spent on the poor’s care and its impact on health equity.
There is no doubt that this Coronavirus has changed life in America and around the world. In addition, the death and suffering we experience here in Austin and the nation, has exposed the impact of structural and systemic racism in the nation. The disparities caused by these conditions were first revealed in the African American quality of life report in 2005, led by the Austin NAACP. Those that have struggled with pre-existing conditions like diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, lupus and others, were disproportionately Latinos and African Americans. The virus also highlighted the importance of having an accessible healthcare system and efficient public transportation in high poverty communities.
ABOUT THE NAACP AUSTIN
Our Mission
The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.
Our Vision
The vision of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights and there is no racial hatred or racial discrimination.
Our Objectives
- To ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all citizens
- To achieve equality of rights and eliminate race prejudice among the citizens of the United States
- To remove all barriers of racial discrimination through democratic processes
- To seek enactment and enforcement of federal, state, and local laws securing civil rights
- To inform the public of the adverse effects of racial discrimination and to seek its elimination
- To educate persons as to their constitutional rights and to take all lawful action to secure the exercise there of
About Nelson Linder
Nelson Linder serves as President of the NAACP Austin, a title he has held since 2000. Having founded his first organization advocating for empowerment and social justice for African Americans in 1992, Linder brings more than thirty years of activism for civil rights to his leadership of the NAACP Austin chapter representing one of the largest cities in the nation.
Under Linder's guidance, the NAACP Austin has worked to define equity as a basic foundation element for city government and set the standard that every policy the city of Austin creates and reinforces should be required to have an equitable impact on all of its citizens. His work on police brutality has received national recognition and Linder’s 2005 role in establishing the African American Quality of Life Initiative led to the creation in Austin of the African American Resource Advisory Commission the following year.
A respected advocate voice in the community and media alike, Linder has been interviewed by The Washington Post, CNN, BET and media throughout Texas. Most recently acting as a media source on the coronavirus causing severe disease and death for people of color at disproportionate rates as well as public hospital district spending on care for disadvantaged communities. Linder also hosts a weekly radio talk show on KAZI 88.7 FM that combines music with current affairs and emphasizes local participation as the key to political empowerment.
During his more-than twenty years serving the NAACP Austin, Linder has been recognized for his work in receiving the he National NAACP Rupert Richardson Award, the University of Texas - Dr. James Hill Community Circle Award, the Delta Sigma Theta Austin Chapter Political Activism Award and the KAZI Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as many more.
In addition to his lifework dedicated to activism, Linder is a U.S. Army Veteran and small business owner in Austin.
ABOUT LULAC TEXAS DISTRICT VII
Our Mission
LULAC District VII is located in the Capital City of Austin, Texas. This District is one of the fastest growing in Texas and it consists of the following eight Central Texas Counties: Travis, Bastrop, Lee, Fayette, Williamson, Llano, Lampasas, Burnet. As we reach out to the Central Texas Counties Communities we have the potential of embracing the trust of all the local citizens. Our District is committed to respect and to preserve the tradition that has made the League of United Latin Americans a great organization. "We Are LULAC"
Locally, Texas LULAC District VII is a vocal advocate for the hungry and displaced. We address issues that affect Hispanics.
Join our monthly ZOOM meetings. Here we strive to share our knowledge and experience regarding all things related to LULAC and issues affecting the Hispanic community.
LULAC HISTORY
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), founded in 1929, is the oldest and most widely respected Hispanic civil rights organization in the United States of America. LULAC was created at a time in our country’s history when Hispanics were denied basic civil and human rights, despite contributions to American society. The founders of LULAC created an organization that empowers its members to create and develop opportunities where they are needed most.
About Frank Ortega
Frank is a community and business leader, activist and life-long Texan. Frank grew up all over Texas thanks to his Air Force father, and has called Central Texas his home for more than 34 years. Over the course of his life, Frank has had a long history of political and community engagement.
Frank is a current State Board member of the Hispanic Organization for Public Education, Board member of the League of United Latin American Citizens as well the District VII Director of the League of United Latin American Citizens, a member of the El Amistad Club, a member of the Citizens For Diversity Leadership Role, a member of the Kiwanis Club and serves on the Round Rock City Council.
Ortega has been a Real Estate Agent in Round Rock for years with The AF Austin Team Powered by Keller Williams Realty.
Ortega received his Associate In Applied Arts from Howard College in Big Spring, Texas. Ortega and his wife, Victoria, have a cocker spaniel named Buddy.