Driving midday on a damp road, Andrew McKay had to make a fast stop. His vehicle spun out and struck a palm tree with such force the tree-trunk spikes penetrated the driver’s door. He was rushed to Harris Health Ben Taub Hospital.

Andrew’s problems were daunting: three broken pelvic bones, fractured ribs, broken shoulder blade, torn ACL, damage to his C-6 and C-7 vertebrae and defused axonal brain injury (this happens when the brain rapidly shifts inside the skull). His Glasgow Coma Scale was five, indicating severe injury.

During the 17 days Andrew was in Ben Taub’s neuro intensive care unit, his parents put their trust in his medical team. “Several doctors met with us, and they were very gentle in telling us about his very critical condition,” said Ginger, Andrew’s mom.

“This was the most phenomenal experience in the most frightening situation. The professionals know what they’re doing. That’s what I want people to know about Ben Taub. And I want the doctors to know the miracles they perform.”

According to a recent study, the economic impact of Harris Health to Harris County alone is $4.8 billion with another $900 million impact across the state of Texas.

“Hospitals act as economic engines and generate huge financial impacts for the communities they serve,” says Patrick Jankowski, chief economist, Greater Houston Partnership. “In this instance, they [Harris Health] are one of the largest employers in our community, and the report clearly shows the substantial financial benefit to the community that Harris Health’s hospitals and clinics provide.”

The report’s key takeaways, include:

• Every $1 Harris Health receives in ad valorem tax revenue generates $5.89 within the county’s economy.
• Harris Health supports 34,396 direct and indirect jobs throughout Texas, with 29,237 of those jobs in Harris County.
• One in every 70 jobs held by persons in Harris County is directly or indirectly related to Harris Health.
• Harris Health in FY2022 saved more than $1.8 billion in healthcare costs, resulting in $2.30 in healthcare cost savings to Harris County taxpayers for every $1 in county taxes collected.

Accessing healthcare is challenging in Harris County for people with low incomes, particularly those without health insurance. As part of its 2021 – 2025 Strategic plan, Harris Health commised a community needs assesment, which highlighted the critical need to improve access for primary and specialty care. Public health data shows some of the consequences of barriers to accessing healthcare, including poor diabetes control, avoidable hospitalizations and higher mortality rates among the community’s low-income population.

Uninsured patients or people with limited access to healthcare tend to come to Harris Health in crisis situations through the emergency center. This fact is a painful reminder that access to timely medical check-ups and health screenings is important, but remain a challenge. Expanding primary care and improving access to specialty care through clinic-based facilities is a big part of Harris Health’s $2.9 billion capital facilities program and an integral part of its 2021 – 2025 Strategic Plan. Without appropriate access to primary and specialty care via its clinics and health centers, those without insurance would upset the healthcare ecosystem that allows our community to grow and thrive.