After ongoing discussions on misuse of the Indigent Healthcare Fund, Erath County Commissioners Dee Stephens and Albert Ray have released a statement for clarification and their commitment regarding oversight to the fund.
“Citizens of Erath County, The Indigent Health Care fund has provided critical medical support to residents facing financial hardship. While recent audits have identified administrative errors including payments exceeding the state cap and disbursements on behalf of individuals later found ineligible, we emphasize that no funds were given to individuals. Additionally, funds were paid to legitimate health care providers, for legitimate charges, on behalf of citizens in genuine need. For more than 20 years, the indigent healthcare system in Erath County has operated under the same guidelines and assumptions. During that time, no major concerns were raised, and the system was trusted to function as intended. No one expected these issues. We relied on a system that had been in place for decades, and we trusted that it was being managed correctly. The recent audit findings have revealed that long-standing practices may not have aligned with current legal and procedural standards, prompting a necessary reevaluation. As Commissioners we acknowledge that while the system was inherited, we are responsible for ensuring its future integrity. We agree with Judge [ Brandon] Huckabee’s statement regarding our responsibility being to every taxpayer and that we are committed to ensuring that every dollar is spent responsibly and ethically.”
The letter states that as commissioners they relied on trained staff to manage the fund’s daily operations, including eligibility screening and payment processing.
“There is no evidence of fraud or criminal misuse. All recipients faced legitimate medical challenges. The fund’s purpose is, a humanitarian effort, to serve residents in need, regardless of tax status, in accordance with state law and public health priorities. While as Commissioners we are responsible for the overall oversight of the Indigent Healthcare Fund, we were not involved in making decisions about which individuals received assistance. Those determinations were made by designated staff, based on eligibility documentation and severity of medical need. We are not privy to names, conditions, or any other identifiers of recipients. Monies dispersed from the fund were for the purpose of specifically helping those in need. These monies cannot be utilized for other budgeted line items,” the letter states.
The commissioners went on to state they support a full review of historical practices, updated policies and procedures and the need for strengthened staff training and oversight mechanisms. The commissioners acknowledged the importance of public trust and said they are taking steps to ensure that future disbursements are handled with the highest standards of integrity and oversight.
“We want the public to know that this fund was created to help people in medical crisis. We stand by this humanitarian mission and will work diligently to improve how it’s managed,” Stephens wrote.
A new process was put into place Monday, Aug. 11 for the indigent healthcare fund after an external audit found repeated overspending on medical bills going against state guidelines.
During that meeting, Huckabee provided background on what had occurred. In March 2025, because the county had started using budget actuals instead of estimates, they realized there may have been a problem in indigent fund spending.
“A budget adjustment request was made that raised our auditor’s eyebrows,” Huckabee said. “He brought that request to me.”
“When we realized there was the possibility of overpayments being made, we contacted the appropriate officials that we were supposed to contact,” he said. “We made the commissioners court aware and we made changes in that department immediately.”
The county then pinned down an audit firm – BMY-to conduct an independent, external audit (Auditor’s Report on the Agreed Upon Procedures) on the Indigent Healthcare Fund and that process wrapped up last week.
“Of the 25 individuals receiving payments from fiscal year 2020 through April of 2025, BMY noted 19 instances of individuals receiving more than $30,000 in a given fiscal year with overages totaling $536,166,” the audit stated. These bills were paid strictly to medical providers. Audit data revealed that commissioners Sherman Edwards and Jim Buck made no approvals.
No action was taken after a commissioner court closed executive session discussing personnel Friday, Aug. 15. Judge Huckabee confirmed the county employee originally over the indigent medical fund was no longer employed with the county on Monday, Aug. 18.
For the previous story on this subject, go to www.dublincitizen.com or see the Aug. 14 edition.