Enact legislation to safeguard current funding and ensure that adequate future funding for preventive primary health care is provided for underserved and indigent communities especially on the Texas-Mexico Border.

Current Title V funding has been reduced over the last 5 years. In addition, the Texas Department of Health has transferred its funding for primary care and chronic disease detection to the Bureau of Federally Qualified Health Centers. However, for local medically underserved and indigent communities such as the Texas-Mexico Border, FQHCs are not sufficient. Until there are more clinics and health care providers, indigent care and Title V services are critical for the local public health providers. Funding to support these efforts must be safeguarded and enhanced, including adopting best practices in wellness, prevention and early detection, which will reduce costs and acute care needs by keeping persons well.