In session on Tuesday morning, September 14, the Brownwood City Council unanimously approved up to $77,000 in American Rescue Plan Funds over a three-month span to assist in continued COVID-19 response focused on COVID-19 testing in a partnership between the Brownwood-Brown County Health Department and Hendrick Brownwood.
Both the Health Department and Hendrick feel there is a need for increased testing capacity. In addition, the need for timely and convenient access to post-positive treatment was identified. Individuals are seeking COVID treatment at the health department, local provider offices, and at urgent and emergency care locations. Often the timing of requesting and receiving care has been delayed resulting long waits in the ER, hospitalization, and additional complications.
Health Department staff has collaborated with the medical community to create a plan to coordinate a combined testing and treatment clinic. The objective of the clinic will be to identify those who are positive and provide immediate interventions at the same time and location. In the proposed plan, the Health Department would oversee testing operations and Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood would provide infusions and other preventative treatment.
The proposed location is a Hendrick facility in Brownwood. The Health Department would seek to find volunteers through the Medical Reserve Corps and other health partners. However, if volunteers are not available or sufficient to staff the testing center, medical and administrative staff would need to be hired.
Proposals of a $8,659 one-month plan, and $758,056 plan over 13 months were also presented. Due to the unpredictability of COVID spikes, Mayor Stephen Haynes expressed the desire for a shorter commitment. The three-month plan should help with the Health Department in their staff request, which is among the greatest concerns.
Lisa Dick with the Health Department also stated a grant is being pursued that would pay for the $76,705 it would cost the City out of its ARP funds. The same proposal will go before county commissioners in the future, at the same cost of $76,705 for three months.