State senator proposes volunteer service for Medicaid doctors

SAN JUAN — A state senator may propose legislation requiring doctors who receive Medicaid funds to work volunteer hours.

Operation Lonestar’s two-week effort to provide free medical services for Rio Grande Valley residents inspired the idea, Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., D-Brownsville, said during a press conference held at Pharr-San Juan-Alamo High School Thursday.

Operation Lonestar is led by the Texas Department of State Health Services in cooperation with the Army National Guard, Air National Guard and the Texas State Guard.

Free health clinics have been open in Brownsville, La Joya, Raymondville, Lasara and San Juan over the past week. More clinics — in Laredo, Rio Grande City and Hebbronville — will be open from August 3-7 and in Zapata from August 4-5.

Operation Lonestar served more than 11,000 people last year.

Although the operation lasts only two weeks, it will leave patients with a greater knowledge of their own health, said Texas State Guard Colonel Charles Bauer, commander of Operation Lonestar.

Patients will learn how to improve their nutrition, control their weight and take care of their diabetes, Bauer said.

Lucio believes civilian doctors in the Valley should offer similar services.

Millions of dollars are spent on health care in the Valley and doctors should give back, the senator said.

“We need an army of doctors who are willing or required by legislation to provide services in the field,” he added.

The Rio Grande Valley is a medically underserved area according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

For more information about Operation Lonestar, call Tip of Texas at 2-1-1.

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Spence Kimball covers general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956)683-4423.