Exciting and Happy News for TWHC: New Mobile Health Clinic “Medical Support Squad” to Serve Medically Underserved Communities in South Texas
The Texas Women’s Healthcare Coalition (TWHC) is thrilled to share the news of the launch of the “Medical Support Squad,” a brand-new mobile health clinic that will provide free and affordable healthcare to medically underserved communities across 15 counties in South Texas. This initiative, spearheaded by the South Texas Family Planning and Health Corporation (STFPHC), will bring much-needed healthcare services directly to the people who need them most.
The launch of the Medical Support Squad is particularly significant for us as it is one of the first mobile clinics to become operational following the allocation of $10 million for mobile women’s preventive health clinics by Texas lawmakers during the 88th Legislative Session. TWHC, dedicated to improving access to preventative women’s health services across Texas, led the advocacy for this funding as part of a larger $470 million package for women’s healthcare.
“The mobile unit funding enables innovative providers to reach patients in rural communities where healthcare resources are incredibly scarce, especially for mothers,” said Evelyn Delgado, Chair of TWHC. “We are so grateful that the legislature recognized this need and is responding to provide the resources for women where they live.”
Reaching the Unreachable: Bridging the Gap in Healthcare Access
The Medical Support Squad is a fully equipped, 40-foot mobile medical clinic featuring two exam rooms and a lab. This “clinic on wheels” will provide a wide range of free and affordable services, including women’s health care, breast and cervical cancer screenings, a full range of birth control options, as well as health screenings and treatments for conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, respiratory infections, and sexually transmitted infections.
“We are going into the community to provide medical services to residents with limited access to care. The Clinic on Wheels (COW) will have a pharmacy and lab on board. The Medical Support Squad will provide comprehensive and preventative women’s healthcare too,” said Martha Zuniga, Chief Executive Officer of STFPHC.
The Medical Support Squad will operate in Public Health Regions 8 and 11, serving counties such as Aransas, Atascosa, Bee, Bexar, Goliad, Gonzales, Jackson, Jim Wells, Kendall, Kerr, Kleberg, Live Oak, Nueces, San Patricio, and Victoria. Many residents in these areas are low-income, lack health insurance, or face transportation barriers that make accessing healthcare challenging. The mobile clinic aims to eliminate these barriers by bringing services directly to these communities.
Clinic Manager Sarah Villarreal shared a touching story: “Patients typically don’t have any kind of health insurance and may have gone years without seeing a doctor. This week, we literally had a patient cry with gratitude because she was blown away by the services she received. People are worried they’ll receive a bill, but we keep telling them it’s free for them. It’s an amazing feeling to know you’ve helped someone in need.”
No Appointment Needed – Just Show Up!
No appointments are required to receive care at the Medical Support Squad. For more information about the mobile clinic, including future locations and how to request a visit, please visit STFPHC’s website.
The Texas Women’s Healthcare Coalition is proud to support this innovative approach to improving healthcare access in South Texas. We encourage all community members to take advantage of the services provided by the Medical Support Squad and join us in celebrating this milestone in women’s healthcare.