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Harris County sets March hearing after months of town halls over Ben Taub expansion and proposed Hermann Park land acquisition
Summary
After weeks of public meetings, Commissioners Court voted to post a Chapter 26 public hearing March 19 on Harris Health's request to acquire 8.9 acres of Hermann Park for a Ben Taub Hospital expansion. Supporters say the project adds critically needed beds; opponents pressed for alternatives, written guarantees and flood mitigation.
The Harris County Commissioners Court voted unanimously Jan. 29 to set a Chapter 26 hearing on March 19 to consider Harris Health's request to allow eminent-domain acquisition of 8.9 acres of Hermann Park for a Ben Taub Hospital expansion.
Supporters of the expansion said the county's only public level-1 trauma hospital is under severe strain and needs added inpatient capacity. Dr. Paul Klotman, who addressed the court during public comment, said, “There are 1,800,000 uninsured people in Harris County, and they deserve the same quality of care as anybody else,” arguing the county needs more bed capacity to prevent hallway admissions and delayed care.
Opponents questioned whether alternatives had been fully explored and…
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