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Court narrows indigent-health eligibility and approves use of surgery centers for cost savings
Summary
The court amended indigent-health rules to limit county-funded indigent services to legal citizens or permanent county residents (effective immediately) and separately approved allowing surgery centers to be used instead of hospitals when cost savings are available.
Rockwall County commissioners voted to define eligibility for county-managed indigent health care as legal citizens or permanent residents of Rockwall County, effective immediately. Commissioner Galana proposed the clarification after staff described state guidance leaves residency definitions to counties; county staff said they will add verification tools (LexisNexis) and return a detailed policy implementing the change. Commissioners discussed potential grandfathering and how to handle current cases; staff said they will prepare implementing policy language and notice procedures.
Separately, commissioners approved adding outpatient surgery centers as an optional service under the indigent-health program when it yields cost savings compared with hospital care. Cheryl (Indigent Health Director) explained outpatient surgery centers can substantially reduce county payments compared with hospital outpatient charges because of Medicaid-rate differences; the court approved the policy change and will notify the state per program rules.
