MCALLEN – Hidalgo County is stepping in to fund direct health care services at El Milagro Clinic in McAllen.

El Milagro requested the funding because some of its much needed grant funds aren’t available.

In a unanimous vote, county commissioners decided to provide $50,000 for direct health care services to indigent populations. The money comes from “sweep funding.” Those are funds set aside in the budget cycle that don’t get used.

The private nonprofit clinic addresses the health care needs of the uninsured or underinsured in Hidalgo County.

“It felt awesome. It felt great. We were glad the commissioners stepped up and provided us the funding that they did,” El Milagro Clinic Executive Director Grace Lawson said. “Every commissioner, talked to all commissioners and they all seemed concerned about the fact that we might not be able to continue without the funding that the county gave us.”

The county also provided funding to the clinic in 2008.

Hidalgo County will reimburse El Milagro for its expenses during the course of the funding.