Longtime healthcare lobbyist Jake Fuller has passed away

MCALLEN, Texas – Ever the optimist, he told family and friends he was going to live until he was 100. 

Alas, it was not to be. Longtime border healthcare lobbyist and consultant Jacob “Jake” C. Fuller has passed away following complications associated with a back operation he had last December.


He was 83 years of age.

Fuller, through his company, Starcom Consultants, had long-running contracts with Universal Health Services (South Texas Health System) and the Texas Medical Association. Over the years there were numerous other clients, many in the healthcare field. He was a familiar face at the state Capitol in Austin during legislative sessions even though he preferred to work behind the scenes.

Fuller’s notable milestones in the healthcare arena included securing majority support for tort reform in Hidalgo County in 2001. Back then Texans for Lawsuit Reform would refer to the Valley as a “judicial hellhole.” Fuller’s role was to coordinate the marketing campaign for reform. This included the odd day of action when Valley doctors would close their doors to patients. Fuller’s success in helping secure majority support for the physician community was remarkable because his main adversary was famed Edinburg-based trial layer Ramon Garcia. 

Fuller was also involved in helping set up the Border Health Political Action Committee and founding and running the Border Health Caucus. The caucus comprised physicians from Brownsville to El Paso. Its annual summer conference, which Fuller organized for many years, was split between Washington, D.C., and different cities along the Texas-Mexico border.

Working with healthcare consultant Carlos Zaffirini, Jr., state Sen. Juan Hinojosa, and state Rep. Ismael ‘Kino’ Flores, Fuller also helped secure a ten-year moratorium to stop Health Maintenance Organizations coming into Cameron, Hidalgo, Webb, and Maverick counties. This reportedly saved hospitals in these counties hundreds of millions of dollars over the decade 2002-2012.

Fuller was born in New York City in December 1940. His father was an FBI agent who counted among his friends the agency’s legendary director, J. Edgar Hoover. His father’s work meant Fuller moved around a lot in his youth. As a child he lived in Puerto Rico, California, Laredo, and McAllen, among other places. He said McAllen was always his favorite.

Fuller graduated from Texas A&M University-Commerce with degrees in political science and journalism. After leaving college he worked in Dallas. As a journalist he freelanced and wrote for various trade magazines. This included a well-paid gig with a garment industry magazine aimed at women. He later went into public relations and communications. 

While also in Dallas, Fuller emersed himself in city politics, helping various Latino political campaigns and LULAC. With consultancy gigs already lined up he achieved a long-cherished wish to move back to the Valley around 30 years ago. 

Outside of work Fuller enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson, eating out, reading novels, watching western movies, and cheering on his beloved Dallas Cowboys. 

Fuller is survived by his companion Luisa and three children. His son Jay says a memorial service will be held later at First United Methodist Church in McAllen.

Editor’s Note: We invite readers who knew Jake Fuller to send in their recollections. They will then be added to this tribute article. Please email: mmoreno@riograndeguardian.com.

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