The plan to issue the bonds was unanimously approved by Harris County Commissioners on Thursday. If passed, it would pay for upgrades and additions to the Ben Taub and Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) hospitals as well as the construction of three new community clinics in locations where they are required.
Harris Health to Pitch $2.5B Bond
(Photo: Community Impact)
Harris County Commissioners Approved Bonds for New Trauma Center at Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital (LBJ)
In an article published by abc13 Eye Witness News, bonds were approved by Harris County Commissioners and if voters will approve a $2.5 billion bond on November 7, a new trauma center at Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital, three community clinics for underprivileged regions, and other upgrades to Harris County Health System facilities might be on the way.
The inclusion of the bond on the ballot was overwhelmingly approved by the Harris County Commissioners Court during a special meeting on Thursday morning in Houston, but before approving the bond for the ballot, the Harris county commissioners had numerous inquiries about how it would be used, one of which was to learn which projects would be given priority if they were to be completed.
Due to infrastructural concerns, the new LBJ Hospital has already been planned, according to Dr. Esmaeil Porsa, CEO of Harris Health System. It is anticipated that construction would begin next April or May. The $2.5 billion is part of a 12-year plan that includes the construction of the trauma center, upgrades to Ben Taub Hospital, and three new clinics.
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Renovations and Expansions Bonds Approved by Harris County Commissioners for Both Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) Hospital and Ben Taub Hospital
According to Houston Public Media, the plan to issue the bonds was unanimously approved by Harris County commissioners on Thursday. If passed, it would provide funding for the Ben Taub Hospital and Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) Hospital repairs and expansions, as well as the construction of three additional community clinics in locations where they are required.
County authorities state that despite the county’s population nearly doubling over that time, the two hospitals in Houston remain at or beyond capacity and have not undergone significant modifications in about 30 years. Serving low-income patients who are either uninsured or underinsured is a priority for the Harris Health System.
The bond approved by the Harris County commissioners also would provide funding to increase the availability of outpatient services at LBJ Hospital and expand it to include a total of 390 patient beds. At Ben Taub, the planned expansion would extend its lifespan by at least 15 years, according to the county.
The aforementioned community clinics tied to the bond proposal that was approved by the Harris County commissioners would be located in east, northwest, and southwest Harris County.
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