TEXAS CITY — Although county clinics are known for low-cost health care for the indigent and uninsured, some patients prefer the publicly funded clinics over private practice hospitals.

Kurt Koopmann, a spokesman for the county’s health district, touted the clinics’ success during National Health Center Week, which ended Friday. Koopmann said the county’s two clinics, one in Galveston and the other in Texas City, play vital roles to the community.

Judy Johnson of Texas City said she’s been a patient of County Coordinated Community Clinics since she was a child.

“If you’re sick, you’ve got to go somewhere,” Johnson said during a recent checkup with Dr. Abdul-Aziz Alhassan at the Texas City clinic.

“I bring my kids here, and the service, it’s been good. I come here when they’re open because it’s close to my home,” Johnson said.

Alhassan said he sees patients similar to Johnson.

“Ms. Johnson has Medicaid and could go anywhere, but she’d rather come to us because of the service we provide,” Alhassan said.

Johnson is one of 17,759 patients seen at the two Galveston County clinics last year.

In addition to health and dental care, the clinic’s four doctors and support staff also assume other roles, such as mental health counselors.

With 88 percent of the clinic’s patients uninsured and 2,537 homeless clients seen last year, why would a doctor chose to work in the public sector?

“I enjoy working here, and with my background, providing care to those without insurance is very rewarding to me,” said Alhassan, who is originally from Nigeria, an African country with a large indigent population.

“Here, nobody is turned away,” he said.

Kurt Koopmann, spokesman for the county health district, said patient fees are assessed on a sliding scale according to income.

There are perks associated with working for the county, Alhassan said, such as following county holidays, eight-hour days and spending more time with family.

“That means no calls and no weekends,” Alhassan said. “When you compare the difference between the hours in the private sector, what we are paid in the clinic might come out even.”

The clinics operate on a $7.5 million budget, with 54 percent coming from local support and the remainder funded mostly from private income — 22 percent — and federal grants — 22 percent.

Jason Borillo, a physician’s assistant, said the clinic eases nonemergency care from county hospital emergency rooms.

“Maybe this is the face of health care in the future,” Borillo said.

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