TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – 26 million people in the United States are currently uninsured. Clinics like Bethesda Health in East Texas have been providing affordable medical services to uninsured local residents for the past 21 years.
“We are thrilled to be working with Bethesda Health Clinic in Tyler,” said John English, CEO of Bethesda Health Clinic in Tyler.
Office visits cost only $20 or $30 for adults and children.
However, in recent years, the demand for its services has increased among the patient population.
“We’re running out of space,” says Dr. English.
In 2023, 16.3% of Texans were uninsured, which is just under 5 million people and more than double the national average.
“More people are coming here, more businesses are coming here, and individuals are struggling. So it’s becoming more and more difficult to get insurance and to get insurance when you need it.” Dr. English says.
And with COVID-19 relief funds set to expire this year, Dr. English says that’s another reason to plan for expansion.
“We expect the need to increase in the near future,” says Dr. English.
The services Bethesda provides include chronic disease treatment, women’s health, medicine, pediatrics, dentistry, and more. And for many patients like Hope Bremer, mental health care is a big issue.
“I was going through a little bit of depression,” Bremer says. “I took the proper medication that I needed. I also learned through Bethesda that I had Lupus.”
Bremer says affordable health care helped her get the treatment she needed and quickly.
“Just to see a psychiatrist. I called other places and they wanted $500 and there was literally no way I could do it,” Bremer said. “I can’t afford to buy something like that on my own.”
Over 40% of Bethesda’s funding comes from the community alone.
“As the community continues to support us, we will have future options for our patients as well,” English says.
Part of that community support includes future efforts to expand the facility to serve more East Texans.
Copyright 2025 KLTV. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.
