Groundbreaking New Health Clinic Opens its Doors

Houston Janitors and Responsible Corporate Leaders Help Address Crisis for Thousands of Low-Wage Workers

Houston janitors are joining elected and community leaders today to unveil the “Houston Service Workers Clinic”—a partnership between janitors, responsible corporate leaders and health care providers that offers a groundbreaking model for providing low-cost, quality health care for low-wage workers. The clinic opening comes as Houston janitors mark the anniversary of a month-long strike that put a human face on Houston’s health care crisis.

"Two years ago I stood beside the Mayor and told the world 'Houston won big,'" said Mercedes Herrera, a Houston janitor who helped lead the workers' historic strike. "Today we celebrate another victory for Houston families as we open our health care clinic."

The Houston Service Workers Clinic will give more than 5,300 commercial office janitors access to quality, affordable health care for only $205 a month per worker––less than one-third of a penny per square foot of rental space in downtown buildings. Health insurance for janitors is set to begin January 1.

With one in three people in Houston currently living without health care, the clinic takes an innovative approach to solving Houston’s healthcare crisis, which has cost Harris County public and private hospitals nearly $20 billion for uncompensated care since 1993.

Doctors from Baylor College of Medicine will provide primary care at the clinic and health insurance through Cinga Health will cover treatment outside of the clinic.

"This innovative program goes hand-in-hand with the mission of Baylor College of Medicine's Department of Family and Community Medicine to provide patient-centered medical care and serve as a force for promoting health in the community," said Dr. John C. Rogers, interim chair of the department. "This program offers a creative approach to bringing a new group into the ranks of the insured. Our physicians will offer the highest quality primary care and serve as a gateway for specialized care."