BELL COUNTY, Texas — Texas has the highest number of uninsured people in the country.

The Bell County Indigent Health Care Program recently received national recognition for strengthening services for residents.

Lack of health insurance discouraged one Central Texas grandmother from seeking the care she so desperately needed. 

Suzanne Bucher calls herself the "granny nanny."

"I'm grandma. I'm school teacher," Bucher explained.

Bucher is grateful to be here for the moments she shares with her family. 

Not too long ago, Bucher became extremely ill.

"I was very very sick," Bucher said. "I was ashamed. I was ashamed... Because I didn't have insurance. I would push everything under the rug."

So far under the rug, she ended up in the hospital. 

"I was in the hospital and I was very concerned because I couldn't, there was no way I could pay the hospital bill,"  Bucher said.

Bucher's life was saved by the free healthcare she received from the Bell County program.  

"It has been everything," Bucher said. "Ever since I got sick, it just has seemed like one thing after another. I broke a wrist. I broke a hand. I have fallen several times."

Bell County judge David Blackburn is proud of the health care program's recent success in collaboration with local community clinics. 

"The county is required by law to provide health care services to those who can't afford those services," Blackburn said. "...We've improved the healthcare delivery to those who need those health care services. So it's not only been more effective, it's also more efficient."

Bucher says it has been life saving. 

"If it wasn't for the Bell County Indigent health services, I wouldn't be here," Bucher said.