Zaffirini disappointed Operation Border Health has been canceled

LAREDO, Texas – State Sen. Judith Zaffirini has been a big champion of Texas Department of State Health Services’ Operation Border Health over the years. 

So, the veteran legislator was most disappointed to learn that the state agency had cancelled this year’s program. For many border residents the week-long summer program – offering free medical, dental, and vision services – was the only time they received medical attention all year. Traditionally, the services have been offered in Brownsville, San Juan, Raymondville, Rio Grande City, and Laredo. 

“It is exceedingly disappointing that a drastic reduction in federal funding resulted in the Texas Department of State Health Services canceling Operation Border Health (OBH) 2025. Staffing cuts resulting from reduced funding for federal grants will deny many South Texans the medical, dental and vision services OBH would have offered,” Zaffirini said.

“To ensure Operation Border Health returns in 2026, we must urge our U.S. senators and representatives and our federal agency partners to restore this critical funding. My hope is that restored funding will result in the necessary staffing to offer basic health services to South Texans who otherwise are not likely to receive them.”

TDSHS informed border counties that the 2025 program was being canceled just a few weeks before it was due to start. On June 19, Region One Education Service Center said the program was about to start. “Operation Border Health is coming this July. Access no-cost health services for children and adults at all participating locations,” Region One stated on Facebook.

But by July 8 Hidalgo County was informing residents it was not happening. In its announcement, Hidalgo County Health and Human Services Department seemed to be taking responsibility for the cancelation, even though it was TDSHS’s decision to cancel.

“The Hidalgo County Health and Human Services Department announced today the cancellation of this year’s Operation Border Health event, which was originally scheduled to take place July 21–25, 2025,” HCHHSD said, in a posting on Facebook.

“The decision was made in coordination with the Texas Department of State Health Services and other regional partners in response to recent funding cuts and a reduction in the local workforce. As a result, the department determined it would not be able to support an event of this size to the standard it deserves and to the level that the community has come to expect.”

Dairen Sarmiento Rangel, is director of Hidalgo County Health and Human Services. She said:

“As a long-standing public health initiative, Operation Border Health has helped us fulfill our mission of expanding access to care and preparedness for the past 25 years,” said Dairen Sarmiento Rangel, Director of Hidalgo County Health and Human Services. “We know its absence this year will be felt, and this decision was not made lightly.”

Sarmiento Rangel said her department wants to work closely with the Texas Department of State Health Services and other partners to bring the event back to Hidalgo County in the future when circumstances allow. 

“Despite the cancellation, the Health and Human Services Department emphasized its continued commitment to public health. Clinics across the county remain open to provide immunizations, screenings, and preventive care for eligible individuals. Community Resource Specialists are available to help residents navigate and connect with programs such as Medicaid, CHIP, TANF, SNAP, the Women’s Health Program, Healthy Texas Women, and other support services,” Sarmiento Rangel’s department stated.

“The department also continues to provide direct services through its in-house programs, including Hidalgo Blue and the County Indigent Health Care Program, which help low-income Hidalgo County residents who do not qualify for other state or federal healthcare programs access vital services.”

Editor’s Note: For more information about available programs or assistance, residents in Hidalgo County may contact the Hidalgo County Health and Human Services department at 956-383-6221 or visit hchd.org.

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