District 4 Councilwoman Hopes New Hospital Will Address Health Inequit

Published on January 18, 2024

SAN ANTONIO (January 18, 2024) – District 4 Councilwoman Dr. Adriana Rocha Garcia joined University Health leaders and community partners at a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction for a new state-of-the-art hospital in southside San Antonio. The following is a statement regarding the need to address health disparities and inequities in San Antonio:

“We applaud the efforts of George Hernandez, the University Health leadership team and Board of Managers for moving forward with a transformational project in an area that needs continued investment. Long before the closure of the Texas Vista Medical Center in District 4, I advocated for testing and vaccine sites in the southside because access to healthcare is a persistent challenge for residents in our community. For people who do not have reliable transportation or depend on public transit to get to their medical appointments, the presence of hospitals in their neighborhoods is a matter of life and death for some. 

“While the City of San Antonio has increased the number of EMS units serving the area, we still need to work with our local health systems and community partners to address the gaps in care. I look forward to developing a comprehensive plan of action that includes partnerships with other entities committed to resolving the health disparities that impact residents in the southside.

“As we gather to mark this milestone, we can’t ignore the immediate needs of residents who will have to endure the challenge of accessing medical care, especially those who may not live to see the completion of this project.”