The lack of timely access to primary care among the un- and under-insured population leads to greater health care debt and poorer health outcomes compared to those individuals with adequate insurance. 

St. David’s Foundation and Episcopal Health Foundation sought to identify the capacity of the Central Texas region to address the primary care needs of its un- and underinsured residents, identifying needs and gaps in services. Decision Information Resources, Inc. (DIR), with support from Working Partners, LLC, was contracted to conduct the Primary Care Capacity Assessment in Central Texas

Through this assessment, twenty-two clinics with over one hundred sites were identified that address the medical, dental, and mental health needs of this population. These clinics served over 315,000 patients in 2022 with more than one million patient visits. FQHCs are the main providers of care, comprising 50% of the sites and accounting for 82% of the patient visits. However, charity clinics also fill a gap, especially for non-native adult uninsured patients. Local Mental Health Authorities provide essential behavioral and mental health and substance abuse treatment, along with some integrated care services.

The assessment identified gaps in geographic availability, an increased need for dental and mental health services, and a lack of consistent attention to non-medical drivers of health needs.