Community Service
Harris Health System - Ben Taub Hospital
A full-service public hospital providing emergency care, surgeries, and specialty medical services for Harris County residents regardless of ability to pay.
Details
EligibilityHarris County residents; financial assistance available
FeesSliding scale based on income
LanguagesEnglish, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Arabic
Hours24/7 Emergency; clinics Mon-Fri
“Do not wait. The time will never be just right. Start where you stand, and work whatever tools you may have at your command and better tools will be found as you go along. ”
— Napoleon HillRelated
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From the Library
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Houston Health Groups Work Together for Better Care AccessThe Health Foundation of South Florida shows how different groups work together to make healthcare better for everyone. They share stories about doctors, community groups, and organizations partnering to help people who have trouble getting medical care. The foundation supports programs that train healthcare workers, help pregnant women, provide legal help for health problems, and bring care to homeless people. They focus on helping Black communities and other groups that often face barriers to healthcare. The foundation also works with local businesses and schools to create jobs and economic opportunities that improve community health. Their 'Partners in Action' page highlights successful collaborations between hospitals, community centers, schools, and nonprofits. These partnerships show how working together can break down barriers that prevent people from getting the healthcare they need. The stories include examples of mobile health clinics, maternal health programs, workforce training, and innovative approaches to addressing social factors that affect health.
Community Groups Win Big Changes for Better Jobs, Housing, and SchoolsThe Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) helps community groups across America make big changes that improve people's lives. Their biggest wins include: helping over 16,000 people in Texas, Arizona, and Louisiana get better-paying jobs that average $40,000 per year through job training programs. They built over 4,500 affordable homes in poor neighborhoods in New York, Baltimore, and Washington DC, completely changing these areas. In Texas, they helped improve schools by getting parents more involved, which raised test scores by 15-19%. They created the first 'living wage' law in Baltimore that requires city workers to earn enough money to support a family. They helped pass Massachusetts' universal health care law that gave 500,000 people health insurance - this became the model for the national Affordable Care Act. Along the Texas-Mexico border, they got over $2 billion invested to bring clean water and sewers to poor communities. These victories show how organized communities can win major improvements in jobs, housing, education, wages, health care, and basic services.
McKesson Fights for Safer Health Technology RulesMcKesson is a healthcare company that wants to change how the government regulates health technology. They believe current rules for health IT are outdated and based on laws from 40+ years ago. Health information technology helps doctors avoid medical mistakes and provides better care at lower costs. McKesson wants new rules that focus on risk levels - treating high-risk technology differently from low-risk technology. They have been working with Congress and government agencies since 2012 to create smarter regulations. The company has testified before Congress multiple times and submitted detailed comments to federal agencies. They support specific bills like the SOFTWARE Act and PROTECT Act that would create better oversight for health technology. McKesson argues that health IT should be regulated differently from traditional medical devices because they work differently. Their goal is to protect patient safety while still allowing innovation in healthcare technology. The company provides detailed documentation including congressional testimony, letters to lawmakers, and regulatory comments showing their advocacy efforts. This represents a major corporate effort to influence healthcare policy at the federal level.
Better Healthcare Through Tech That Helps Patients Know Their OptionsMcKesson, a major healthcare company, wants to use technology to help patients make better healthcare decisions. Right now, many healthcare systems don't share information well with each other, making it hard for patients to know what treatments cost or what their insurance covers. When patients don't take their medicines as prescribed, it causes 125,000 deaths each year and costs $100 billion. McKesson believes that if patients could easily see their insurance benefits, medication costs, and coverage details in real-time when they visit the doctor or pharmacy, they would be more likely to take their medicines correctly. They want states to require health plans and pharmacy benefit managers to provide this cost and benefit information instantly at the point of care. This would help patients make informed choices about their healthcare and lead to better health outcomes.
Similar Services (6)
All servicesHarris Health System - Gold CardIf you live in Harris County and don't have health insurance, you can get a Gold Card for free or low-cost healthcare. This card helps you see doctors, get medicine, and go to the hospital when you need care.Houston 211 HelplineCall or text 211 to get free help finding food, housing, jobs, healthcare, and other services in Houston. Trained helpers are available 24/7 to connect you with resources in your neighborhood.Local Resources DatabaseThis website helps people find resources they need like food banks, childcare, health services, and shelters. All the information is in one easy-to-use online list that gets updated regularly.Legacy Community HealthCommunity health centers providing primary care, dental, vision, and behavioral health services at affordable prices across Houston.Avenue 360 Health & WellnessProvides affordable healthcare including HIV/AIDS services, mental health counseling, and primary care for underserved communities.Texas Children's Health PlanFree or low-cost health insurance for children and pregnant women through Medicaid and CHIP programs.
The Journey
17 connected resources across 5 levelsTrail depth
Level 1
Get CuriousRead, watch, exploreWe are building resources for this level
Level 2
Find Your PeopleMeet orgs, neighbors, groups9 resourcesYou are hereOrganizationUNITEConnects healthcare providers, social workers, and community organizations so people can find the services they need. Makes it easier to access food assistance, housing support, mental health services, and more.
ServiceHouston 211 HelplineCall or text 211 to get free help finding food, housing, jobs, healthcare, and other services in Houston. Trained helpers are available 24/7 to connect you with resources in your neighborhood.
ServiceHarris Health System - Gold CardIf you live in Harris County and don't have health insurance, you can get a Gold Card for free or low-cost healthcare. This card helps you see doctors, get medicine, and go to the hospital when you need care.
+6 more at this levelLevel 3
Show UpEvents, meetings, volunteeringWe are building resources for this level
Level 4
Go DeeperTraining, sustained involvement3 resourcesLevel 5
Make Your MoveAdvocacy, organizing, creating5 resourcesFocus Areas