Pediatric care discussion moves forward after Laredo vote

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - More than 90% of voters supported a nonbinding proposition calling for efforts to expand pediatric hospital services in the Laredo-Webb County community, as city officials and families consider what comes next.

Without a pediatric hospital in Laredo, families travel to cities such as San Antonio and Corpus Christi for care.

Families seek more local care

Ray Sanchez and his family left Laredo for his daughter Bella’s leukemia treatment. The travel strained his family and took an emotional toll on Bella.

Sanchez, with Smiles From Heaven, said he hopes for change for other families and called on the city, Webb County, nonprofits and others to work together.

“This is something much needed,” Sanchez said. “We should all come together, and make it just right for our children.”

Mayor Victor Trevino, who proposed the proposition in August, said Laredo needs a pediatric hospital.

“It makes sense that we do need this hospital, and it makes sense because we can’t afford our youth, our future, to be having all these problems, and all these difficulties,” Trevino said. “We need to do something now.”

Committee considers next steps

The Community Health Care Advisory Committee met for the first time this month. Members discussed their mission and how they will work together but took no action.

At its next meeting, the committee will discuss the health care workforce and specialty care, including pediatric services.

Laredo Public Health Director Dr. Richard Chamberlain said the committee will discuss a pediatric hospital and its capacity, as well as review data on the city’s current health care landscape.

Funding and staffing for expanded care are still being discussed. The committee plans to present data from its first 90 days of work to city council in April 2027. Its next meeting is Dec. 8.

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