Crew: We are recording. Sandra: Okay.
So, can you tell us about what you just told us
about the Southern Health, what do you call it,
like, hub, I guess?
-: Well, it's part of the clinic movement,
and we wanted to have more say in what was happening
in the whole South Texas region with healthcare.
So the different clinics and institutions,
we wanted to set up our own healthcare planning area.
And the federal government had allowed,
had set it up to where we could apply.
And we actually got doctors, clinics, and others
all the way from Corpus to Laredo to Crystal City, together.
And we submitted a plan.
And our plan was even approved by the federal government
as being a viable plan for South Texas.
But then it was vetoed by the governor.
Sandra: What governor was it?
-: Was it Briscoe? I think it was Briscoe.
But with no justification.
We'd met all the requirements, had all the paperwork done.
But he...
just like they vetoed Crystal City and all that movement
at one point in time.
So, you know, there was still,
the racism in terms of healthcare and against the Chicanos
was very evident,
although we made strides
with some doctors and clinics in the whole area,
but we were not able to convince the governor
that we should manage our own healthcare.
Sandra: Did you have support
from the local governments?
-: Yes. With several of the local governments.
'Cause it's sort of like what they call the consulate,
the consulate governments, right?
Sandra: Mm-hmm.
-: Which would have had a lot more control of healthcare
in the area, in the clinics.
Sandra: And after Governor Briscoe vetoes
this proposal, then that effort dies?
-: Yeah.
You know, the individual clinics continue to function
and work the way they should,
but it wasn't like being able to control
the dollars coming into the area, right?
Sandra: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
(cell phone rings)
-: I'm sorry.
Sandra: That's okay.