Gateway Community Health Center is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  The Center is a 501 (c) (3) private, non-profit corporation with a governing board of 15 directors whose responsibility is to oversee the overall operations of the Center.  The Center is located in Laredo, Texas situated on the U.S. Mexico border approximately 150 miles south of San Antonio.  Gateway began operations in 1963 as a migrant health center as part of the City of Laredo Health Department and in October 1989 reorganized as an independent not-for-profit organization. 

Gateway has two main clinical sites in Laredo.  Additional clinics are held on a weekly basis at two sites in Webb County:  the Quad City Community Center in Mirando City for the residents of the communities of Aguilares, Bruni, Oilton, and Mirando City, and the El Cenizo Community Center.  Women’s Health Services along with pre-natal care services are provided to colonia and rural residents via a specially equipped mobile van.  Gateway moved into its new $11,000,000 three-story 64,000 sq. ft. facility in August 2006. 

The Center offers a wide array of medical care services provided by physicians and/or mid-level practitioners.  Support services include pharmacy, x-rays, and laboratory tests.  Preventive and restorative dental care services are provided by dentists and dental hygienist staff primarily to children.  Gateway also provides a multitude of preventive services including immunizations, diabetes awareness and education programs, cancer screening programs, worksite wellness and family planning services.  Self-management classes for patients with diabetes are provided through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Pfizer Health Solutions, Inc. grants.  Self-monitoring and other supplies are provided for patients with diabetes.

Over 84,000 medical, dental, and special clinical patients visits were provided in calendar year 2006.  As of October 2007 the center recorded a 17% increase in users and encounters.

All residents of Webb County are eligible for services at Gateway.  The Center uses the federal poverty guidelines to determine if a patient qualifies for discounts.  Clients who do not wish to provide their annual income or family size are charged 100% for services rendered.  Gateway accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance and enters into group contracts for specific services at a predetermined fee.  No one is denied services because of inability to pay.  All fees received from patients or third party payer sources revert back to the Center’s operating budget.  Gateway is administered in a cost-effective manner in accordance with government guidelines and undergoes an annual audit.