HOUSTON -- From the environment to healthcare, we are beginning to see the impact of the stimulus.
The doctors of Legacy Community Health have provided low-income families and the uninsured with health care for three decades. As Houston's unemployment rate spiked, so did the load of patients.
This year, Legacy's dozen care providers will have seen 4,000 new patients.
"It allows us to have a healthy city. Without clinics like ours, to take care of people who don't have anywhere else to go, I can't imagine being sick and not having a doctor to go see," said Katy Caldwell of Legacy Community Health.
Legacy received nearly a half million dollars to hire a doctor, add two mental health specialists and increase patient services.
The engineering firm AECOM was given just under $700,000 to dredge the Houston Ship Channel and restore the wetlands of Galveston Bay.
Several Houston firms were given a half million dollars to restore and repair Galveston’s 72-year-old post office that was damaged during the hurricane.
"We were looking at an operation shortfall and we're looking having to either lay off some people or basically close our doors to new patients," said Caldwell.
A third of Harris County's residents don't have health insurance which is close to a million people. Legacy's doctors expect the number of new patients to soar, and with the stimulus money they now have the resources to provide care.
noitall said on November 13, 2009 at 2:04 AM
Of course this leaves out the working low income people they have to much pride to sit home and watch TV & don't make enough money to use their lousy insurance.
rivirobo said on November 13, 2009 at 3:11 AM
What gets me is Rick Perry bashes Obama/Biden while accepting the 2nd highest amount of stimulus monies in the country. And when Texas gets money for unemployment extensions they don't give the whole amount of weeks granted - they must keep the rest. If Texas is so great and self sufficient then maybe we shouldn't take any federal dollars at all.
minis said on November 13, 2009 at 6:46 AM
I, personally, haven't seen anything or anyone that the stimulus has helped except the lazy wellfare recipients who get everything for free anyway. I am a hard working, middle class person. I make too much to get assistance, but not enough to get ahead and be able to buy a home or put money away. So Obama...where is our help? He's too busy taking it from the rich, putting it in his or his friends pockets or giving it to people who just aren't trying to help themselves. Once again, the people who are acutally out there working, paying their taxes, following the law are the ones getting screwed!!
pipeliner said on November 13, 2009 at 8:53 AM
Wait, wait wait. Am I hearing this right. Just who is it that don't have Medicaid. Everyone that comes to this country, illegal or a citizen gets put on Medicaid as soon as they get their SS card. They are instructed right from the SS office where to get all the free stuff. So, I would really like to know who does not have medicaid which pays 100% of all medical. The only people that may not be covered is the low income white people that do not make much money, but they would have to be the elderly. Then those people would have SS and Medicaid. So, as far as I can see and understand, there is not one person here with out health care. They may say they don't have any, so they can get free services, but that could be the only way, that I can see. Then somehow they would be found out. So, I have a hard time with this. Revamp the medicaid rules and regulations and put guidelines on it.
designer23 said on November 13, 2009 at 9:44 AM
Minis, how are you middle-class if you can't afford a house? anyway, the money allotted to the working-class is to either help the poor or to motivate middle-class to buy. The resources are out there. Do you realize being a first time home-buyer, you can get an $8,000 tax credit. It's expected of you to be proactive and find the resources that are available for people like you. If you're credit is good, you can still purchase a house with no money down, minimal closing cost and at the end of the year, get a check for $8,000 from the IRS.
stjakk said on November 13, 2009 at 11:41 AM
there you go again designer....beating that dead horse.......you ARE infatuated with BOB....aren't you?
rukidden said on November 13, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Who is really benefitting, can you say Chicago Mobster Politics?
designer23 said on November 13, 2009 at 1:32 PM
Listen Stjakk, I don't want to have to school you again like I did on Tuesday. Well, yes I do. Rukidden: Back your words with facts. How are they benefiting? You boys lack substance.