In a unanimous vote Aug. 2, commissioners in Travis County, Texas, opted to stick with an original proposal for a third-party audit of Austin, Texas-based Central Health, The Austin Bulldog reported Aug. 3.
Debates over the audit stem from concerns that Central Health, which helps underserved individuals access healthcare and receives millions in tax dollars each year, is not using its funds as intended, the Austin American Statesman reported July 27. In 2017, members of the community filed what is still an ongoing lawsuit against the company for lack of price transparency, according to the newspaper.
Commissioner Margaret Gomez made the original proposal, according to The Austin Bulldog. Fellow Commissioner Ann Howard proposed a less restricted version of the audit suggested by Ms. Gomez. However, after several advocates spoke out against Ms. Howard's proposal, she voted for the plan put forth by Ms. Gomez.
Former Travis County Auditor Susan Spataro was among those who spoke out against Ms. Howard's proposal, which pushed for collaborating with Central Health. Ms. Spataro considered that element counterproductive.
"We must make sure that poor people are getting the best healthcare they can for the money," Ms. Spataro said, according to The Austin Bulldog.