Two lawyers — Fred Lewis and Bob Ozer — and former Texas Senator Gonzalo Barrientos (D) claim the University of Texas at Austin's Dell Medical School is spending tax dollars intended for indigent care on administrative and educational expenses, according to the Austin American-Statesman.
The group made the accusations to UT's board of regents on Feb. 8.
Steve Hicks, chairman of the UT System board of regents' finance and planning committee, disagreed with the assertion. He claimed that in 2012, Travis County voted to raise property taxes so that Austin-based Central Health could transfer $35 million each year to the medical school.
But Mr. Lewis disagreed. Using official UT records, he claimed almost 84 percent of UT Dell Medical School's staff compensation is paid for with Central Health money designated for indigent care "Accountants, fundraisers and administrative assistants do not provide healthcare," he said, according to the report.
Mr. Lewis also called on the board of regents to launch a third-party investigation regarding the situation.