We Can Do Better
With a union of janitors, thousands of Houston workers can gain employer-paid health insurance and stop being forced to rely on Houston's overcrowded emergency rooms and public health programs for care.
Our health system needs all the help it can get. Including both hospitals and public health clinics, public "safety net" health providers in Houston and Harris County spend $1.5 billion per year, yet they meet only 38% of the need for primary health care services. This includes the three public hospitals, 11 community-based primary care clinics operated by the Harris County Hospital District, seven community healthy centers operated by the City of Houston, and six preventative care clinics operated by Harris County.
Of course, Houston is known around the world for the fine care offered at the Texas Medical Center, but the reality is that quality of care is simply not available to many hard-working Houston families. Houston's business, community and elected officials have recognized the size and scope of the problem. The Greater Houston Partnership -- the association of Houston's leading businesses, says, "[O]ur community is in the midst of a health care crisis…too few people -- particularly the uninsured -- have access to preventive, primary, and outpatient specialty care services" (Greater Houston Partnership Public Health Care Task Force Report, October 2004).
Mayor Bill White also acknowledges the importance of addressing the problem. "We all, from the public, private and nonprofit sectors, need to recognize and address the problems within our [health] system for the future of our community," Mayor White said in October 2004. "The city is prepared to be a leader in this effort to bring about necessary change."