\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t One year after Gov. Greg Abbott\u2019s executive order requiring hospitals to report data on undocumented patients, here\u2019s what the numbers show.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\tSeptember 4, 2025 6:09 pmSeptember 4, 2025 6:09 pm\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n The nonprofit, in collaboration with Cornerstone Assistance Network and Mission Arlington, received more than $385,000 in grants<\/a> from Texas Health Resources for their MATRIX program. It was the largest grant the nonprofit had received since their startup funding.<\/p>\n The money allowed Project Access to screen and direct uninsured residents with hypertension or diabetes who live in five Tarrant County ZIP codes \u2014 76010 and 76011 in Arlington as well as 76104, 76105 and 76119 in Fort Worth \u2014 to service providers.\u00a0<\/p>\n Project Access used the grant to hire a community health navigator who works alongside Cornerstone Assistance and Mission Arlington to sift through patient waiting lists to identify people eligible for other medical assistance under the program, said Kathryn Keaton, director of Project Access.<\/p>\n \u201cThe biggest thing it\u2019s done is maximize efficiency, where we\u2019re able to really connect with potential patients almost immediately,\u201d Keaton said.<\/p>\n Nearly 300 patients were helped in some capacity because of the MATRIX program, Keaton said. At least five surgeries were provided with several additional ones pending, she said.<\/p>\n Before MATRIX began, Project Access had more than 80 people on waiting lists for general surgeries and about 30 for gynecological services. Now about 30 people are on the general surgery waiting list, officials said. The only wait for gynecology is time needed to schedule appointments.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re ecstatic,\u201d Keaton said. \u201cWe\u2019ve been able to have patients who, through our original model, would not have been able to get through to their surgery because of other barriers they face.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. Michelle Arevalo, an obstetrician gynecologist at Grace Obstetrics & Gynecology, was the doctor who performed Marisa\u2019s surgery and one of the more than 300 physicians that volunteer their time and services to Project Access.<\/p>\n Prior to performing Marisa\u2019s hysterectomy, Arevalo found that Marisa had endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia, a condition that could cause endometrial cancer if untreated.<\/p>\n If Marisa, who has both diabetes and hypertension, had not received the hysterectomy, she would have \u201cvery likely\u201d gotten cancer, Arevalo said.<\/p>\n From the doctor\u2019s perspective, working with Project Access is a very easy choice, she said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a life-threatening illness that has a very straightforward surgical solution,\u201d Arevalo said. \u201cNot every medical problem has a simple surgery that can save the life and quality of life of the patient. But in this case, abnormal uterine bleeding from massive fibroids is definitely one of them.\u201d<\/p>\n For Marisa, life is better now, she said, but not just because she avoided cancer and no longer has fibroids.<\/p>\n Her four sons, two of whom are adults and no longer live in Tarrant County, are more at peace and have less stress worrying about their mother, she said. Marisa can move around more freely and has less anxiety about day-to-day tasks.<\/p>\n \u201cThis experience changed my mentality \u2014 that there are people that may not know someone but still care about them,\u201d Marisa said. \u201cSometimes, people aren\u2019t willing to donate five minutes of their time, so the doctors giving their services and time is incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n Interviews for this story were translated from Spanish.<\/p>\n Ismael M. Belkoura is the health reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at ismael.belkoura@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n
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A sign sits in the Project Access Tarrant County office on Nov. 6, 2025. (Ismael M. Belkoura | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n
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