Houston Hospitals, Consulate Set Up Immigrant Health Center

Two Houston-area hospitals and the Mexican Consulate in the area have opened a medical information center to help immigrants navigate the health care system and find a source of care other than emergency departments for nonemergency care, the Houston Chronicle reports. The center is located in the consulate and is the first of its kind in Houston, according to the Chronicle. The effort is being sponsored with a $100,000 donation from the Bank of America. Under the program, the Texas Children's Hospital and St. Luke's Episcopal Health System will provide basic health information, and workers at the center will help immigrants with health insurance questions, though they will not be able to help determine eligibility for health coverage. To receive help through the center, immigrants must show proof of their identities and that they live in the county, as well as information on their incomes for the last 30 days and any paperwork on their immigrant status (Carroll, Houston Chronicle, 11/14).