Hidalgo County Health & Human Services Announces Cancellation of 2025 Operation Border Health Event

EDINBURG, TEXAS – The Hidalgo County Health and Human Services Department announced today the cancellation of this year’s Operation Border Health event, which was originally scheduled to take place July 21–25, 2025.

The decision was made in coordination with the Texas Department of State Health Services and other regional partners in response to recent funding cuts and a reduction in the local workforce. As a result, the department determined it would not be able to support an event of this size to the standard it deserves and to the level that the community has come to expect.

“As a long-standing public health initiative, Operation Border Health has helped us fulfill our mission of expanding access to care and preparedness for the past 25 years,” said Dairen Sarmiento Rangel, Director of Hidalgo County Health and Human Services. “We know its absence this year will be felt, and this decision was not made lightly.”

The department expressed its intention to work closely with the Texas Department of State Health Services and other partners to bring the event back to Hidalgo County in the future when circumstances allow.

Despite the cancellation, the Health and Human Services Department emphasized its continued commitment to public health. Clinics across the county remain open to provide immunizations, screenings, and preventive care for eligible individuals. Community Resource Specialists are available to help residents navigate and connect with programs such as Medicaid, CHIP, TANF, SNAP, the Women’s Health Program, Healthy Texas Women, and other support services.

The department also continues to provide direct services through its in-house programs, including Hidalgo Blue and the County Indigent Health Care Program, which help low-income Hidalgo County residents who do not qualify for other state or federal healthcare programs access vital services.

For more information about available programs or assistance, residents may contact the department at 956-383-6221 or visit hchd.org.