Central Health describes expansion of downtown health and homelessness services, says 2026 spending will outpace revenues as reserves are drawn

Virginia Potter, Central Health development director, and JP Eitenar, vice president of strategy, briefed the commission on Central Health's role as Travis County's hospital district and on recent and planned investments focused on downtown residents and people experiencing homelessness.

Eitenar described Central Health's system and financing: combined inputs from Central Health, CommuniCare and Sendero are projected at about $924,000,000 in 2026; uses for 2026 exceed those inputs because the organization plans to draw down reserves built in prior years to expand services. "We have been planning for this ramp up... we built up our reserves and now we are spending them down," Eitenar said.

The presentation outlined four pillars: coverage (MAP enrollment and subsidized plans), ambulatory care (CommunityCare FQHC clinics), acute/post‑acute care partnerships, and development (strategies to reduce taxpayer burden via grants, philanthropy, and housing investments). Central Health highlighted its homelessness‑focused programs: respite centers, mobile clinic teams, medical respite partnerships with shelters, permanent supportive housing purchases, and coordination with the city's Downtown Homelessness Task Force. From 2023 to 2025 Central Health reported a 525% increase in spending on homeless health programs and expects to add mobile teams and expand services in 2026.

Commissioners asked about the projected roughly $91 million difference between revenue inputs and planned spending for 2026; Central Health said it will draw from reserves accumulated in recent years and stressed the decision was strategic to expand access. Commissioners also applauded Central Health's work connecting medical services to downtown shelters and supportive housing and requested follow‑up documentation about specific local programs and finance details.