The Texas Legislature is set to allocate $65 million to build a cancer treatment center in El Paso, a collaborative effort between Texas Tech University Health Science Center El Paso and University Medical Center of El Paso. The funding is part of the state budget approved by the Texas Senate and is expected to be approved by the House before heading to Governor Greg Abbott. Currently, cancer patients in El Paso have to travel to other cities for advanced medical care, which can be expensive and complicates treatment. The new center will provide state-of-the-art care and allow patients to receive treatment at home.
As per a recent news report by KFOX14/CBS4, a new cancer treatment center may soon be built in El Paso, thanks to the Texas Legislature’s expected allocation of around $65 million towards its construction. The center is set to be a collaborative effort between the Texas Tech University Health Science Center El Paso and University Medical Center of El Paso, as reported by State Representative Mary E. González and Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee.
The funding for the cancer treatment center is included in the state budget approved by the Texas Senate on Friday. However, before the budget heads to Gov. Greg Abbott, it must first be approved by the House. González, who has been involved in a two-year effort between herself, the El Paso legislative delegation, budget researchers, and community leaders at UMC and TTUHSC, expressed her excitement over the news, saying, “I’m so happy our effort has paid off. The creation of the cancer center will be transformative for healthcare and education. Soon, cancer patients will remain at home and receive state-of-the-art care.”
Currently, cancer patients in El Paso often have to travel to Houston or other cities to get advanced medical care, which can be expensive, grueling, and complicates treatment. The new cancer treatment center will minimize, if not eliminate, the need for El Pasoans to seek care elsewhere. UMC President and CEO Jacob Cintron also expressed his gratitude for the passage of significant funding, saying, “This funding begins the journey to fill an incredible need and minimize/begin to eliminate the need for El Pasoans to seek care elsewhere.”
El Paso is one of the largest cities in the nation without a comprehensive cancer center, making the construction of this new center a major advancement for the community. González emphasized that the El Paso legislative delegation pulled together with other community leaders to make this happen, adding, “It is truly a major advancement for our community.”
The new cancer treatment center will not only provide state-of-the-art care to cancer patients but will also contribute to the advancement of healthcare and education in the area. The partnership between UMC and TTUHSC will be instrumental in the success of the center, which is set to bring more comprehensive cancer care to the region.
In view of all the above, the expected allocation of $65 million towards the construction of a new cancer treatment center in El Paso is a significant development for the community. With this new center, cancer patients will no longer have to travel long distances to receive advanced medical care, and the community will benefit from the advancement of healthcare and education. It remains to be seen when construction will begin, but the community is undoubtedly excited about the prospect of having a comprehensive cancer center in their city.
