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Hidalgo County health department outlines 2025 accomplishments, seeks $100,000 for opioid surveillance
Summary
Health and Human Services presented a 2025 annual report highlighting lab accreditations and community screenings, and asked the court to appropriate $100,000 from the county opioid abatement settlement fund to create a public‑health opioid surveillance program for 2026.
Hidalgo County Health and Human Services delivered its 2025 annual presentation to the commissioners court on Jan. 12, highlighting expanded clinical services, three laboratory accreditations, mobile wellness screenings, new vaccine offerings and partnerships aimed at strengthening disease surveillance.
Department director Doreen Saliento Rangel and staff described programs that increased access to diabetes and hypertension care, introduced an On‑Demand Care Station to expand primary care and launched services for county employees and the county jail. The presentation included a testimonial from a resident who described receiving coordinated care and referral support from county clinics.
Separately, the department requested that the court authorize use of Hidalgo County opioid abatement settlement funds to support a public‑health opioid surveillance program and related operational activities. The court approved appropriating $100,000 for the program for the period Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2026, to fulfill new regulatory responsibilities under Texas Senate Bill 1319 and to implement strategies recommended by the Texas Opioid Abatement Fund Council.
Health staff also requested and won approval to participate in a University of Washington implementation study and to enter memoranda of understanding with regional providers for program participation.
The court approved the appropriation by voice vote; the department noted that specific program implementation details and reporting requirements will follow and are subject to legal and administrative review.
