Central Health FY 2025 Budget: Investing in a Healthier Future

I am pleased to announce that the Travis County Commissioners Court has approved the Central Health fiscal year 2025 budget, marking another significant step in our ongoing commitment to advancing health equity in Travis County. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the Commissioners Court, our Board of Managers, our partners, our dedicated staff, and the entire community.

Thank you for entrusting us with the vital mission of providing access to health care for those who need it most. Your confidence in Central Health empowers us to continue this important work, build trust within our community, and strive toward a healthier, more equitable future for all.

$888.7 million to expand care across Travis County

The $888.7 million budget supports a $58.2 million increase in healthcare delivery and includes the following significant investments:

• Expanding specialty care: Increasing our budget by $30.8 million to provide 30,000 annual specialty care visits—a sixfold increase over FY 2024—at the Rosewood-Zaragosa, Capital Plaza, and East Austin clinics.
• Supporting mental health: Increasing the budget by $5.1 million for specialty behavioral health contracts, including more outpatient and psychiatric emergency services, substance use treatment, diversion services, and medication-assisted therapy (this includes a $4.5 million increase, bringing the total funding for Integral Care to $20.6 million); and $2.9 million for direct Central Health mental health services, including additional psychiatry, therapy, and counseling.
• Enhancing post-hospital care: Expanding teams in skilled nursing facilities and setting up new contracts with these facilities with a goal to provide 1,440 bed days directly operated by Central Health and 3,000 contracted bed days – a 30% increase over last year’s target.
• Strengthening care coordination and enrollment: Expanding our patient navigation efforts with a $3.6 million increase and 21 new employees; and bolstering eligibility and enrollment services with a $2.6 million increase for more on-site and virtual services.

Our vision for success: FY 2025 and beyond

By the end of FY 2025, we aim to achieve several key milestones, including a six-fold increase in specialty care visits, establishing a dedicated respite facility where people experiencing homelessness can rest and recover safely after leaving the hospital, versus returning to the streets from the hospital, and improving how we coordinate care for patients, reducing hospital readmissions.

Finally, I want to personally thank Central Health's incredible team, whose diligence and hard work have resulted in a budget that will provide essential health care for many who would otherwise go without these services. It's an honor to work alongside such a dedicated team of tireless individuals who work to make our community healthier every day.

Warmly,?

Patrick T. Lee, MD? President & CEO