Will Terrell County join hospital district?

By RICHARD MARK GLOVER

ALPINE – Dr. Adrian Billings spoke on the possibility of absorbing Terrell County into the two- county Big Bend Regional Hospital District at the district’s regular meeting in Alpine last Thursday.

“They had contacted Dr Billings,” said Jean Pearce, board chairperson. “A couple of us are going to visit Sanderson this week. The want to investigate the possibilities.”

According to Terrell County News Leader Publisher Jim Street, it was Terrell County officials who were contacted.

“Billings will present to the Terrell County Commissioners on Thursday,” said Street. “The Judge (Santiago Flores) told me they had initiated the contact. But with the economy the way it is, I don’t see how more taxes will fly around here.”

Terrell County, rich in natural gas and a population of 1,000, presently is not part of the two-county hospital district of Presidio and Brewster counties.

Meantime, District 1 remains unrepresented on the board since the May elections. The broad district covers the western portion of Presidio, Ruidoso, Candelaria and southwest Marfa. No candidates have filed for the open position and the board plans to increase marketing for a suitable candidate.

In other business last week, the board approved the appointment of new director Christina Alvarado to the Big Bend Regional Medical Center Board of Directors. The panel advises the hospital administration on the healthcare needs of Big Bend-area residents.

And director Allen Haley was approved by the board to serve on the Brewster County Appraisal District Board of Directors.

Two district board members will visit the district-owned building at 106 E. Texas in Marfa, presently occupied by Presidio County Health Services Inc. Negotiations on an extension to the lease agreement are under way.

Also at the meeting, attorney Greg Hudson presented new developments on HHSC 1115 Waiver program, the new system that is set to replace the Upper Payment Limit program for the state run Indigent Health Care Program.