By David A. Diaz Legislative Media
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate John Sharp has endorsed the approval of Proposition 8 a constitutional amendment designed to help bring a Veterans Administration Hospital to deep South Texas.
Earlier this fall Gov. Rick Perry a Republican also endorsed the passage of Proposition 8 which is one of 11 proposed constitutional amendments that will be facing Texas voters.
On Tuesday September 29 Sharp called on all Texas voters to say yes to Proposition 8 which is one of 11 state constitutional amendments set for action by state voters on Tuesday November 3.
I urge all Texans to join me in voting for Proposition 8" Sharp said. It will help us do what should have been done a long time ago give these heroes the care they deserve in their own communities."
Sharp a Victoria native and former Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts said that the passage of Proposition 8 would be another important step in the longstanding effort to bring medical attention and health care to the more than 115000 military veterans living in South Texas.
Proposition 8 reads: The constitutional amendment authorizing the state to contribute money property and other resources for the establishment maintenance and operation of veterans hospitals in this state.
Proposition 8 has strong Valley roots Proposition 8 has strong Valley roots with area veteran group leaders organized under an umbrella group known as the Veterans Alliance of the Rio Grande Valley and local legislators spearheading the effort last spring with the passage of House Joint Resolution 7 (HJR 7) which placed the issue on the statewide ballot as Proposition 8.
Rep. Ismael Kino Flores D-Palmview Rep. Armando Mando Martnez D-Weslaco Rep. Ryan Guillen D-Rio Grande City and Rep. David Leibowitz D-San Antonio were authors of HJR 7. Sen. Juan Chuy Hinojosa D-McAllen was sponsor of HJR 7 with Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr. D-Brownsville serving as cosponsor of the legislation.
Sharp said Proposition 8 is significant because for the first time it allows Texas to take the lead in authorizing financial resources property donations construction costs and equipment for veterans facilities instead of having to rely exclusively on Washington D.C.
Proposition 8 will help all regions of the state but especially South Texas where congressional and local officials veterans activists and other community leaders have worked for years to overcome federal obstacles that would make it possible for veterans to seek medical care closer to home without having to travel hundreds of miles to San Antonio Sharp added.
Sharp said that even if Proposition 8 is approved by voters this November the final step will still be passage of federal legislation authorizing a Veterans Administration hospital in the Rio Grande Valley. Proposals to build a facility have stalled in the United States senate for years. Texas congressional support also solid Flores said the national legislation which has been led by the Valley congressional delegation all Democrats and the states two U.S. senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn both Republicans makes clear the need for the medical complex.
Federal legislation currently pending in Congress has further emphasized that the Rio Grande Valley is deserving of a comprehensive fully staffed full-service VA Hospital complex and under the scenario envisioned by Congress this medical facility should be valued at about $175 million said Flores.
Building a VA Hospital in deep South Texas would have an impact beyond the Rio Grande Valley said Martnez.
A Valley-based VA Hospital would not only serve local veterans but also scores of veterans from all parts of Texas and Mexico and those veterans from other regions of the United States who make their residence in deep South Texas during the winter months Martnez noted.
Hinojosa a former U.S. Marines combat squad leader in Vietnam added that the passage of Proposition 8 is essential in order to allow Texas beyond question and with the power of the will of the people in support to contribute to a federal initiative to build operate and maintain veterans hospitals in the Valley.
Rep. Aaron Pea Jr. D-Edinburg last spring explained why a VA Hospital in the Valley is needed even as the federal government continues to make improvements to the veterans health care systems in the region.
The current facilities for veterans health care in the Valley are manifestly inadequate; the VA presently operates several outpatient clinics in the region but these do not offer the full range of services including testing and therapy available in San Antonio.
Moreover the VA has failed to pay the bills of many veterans who have had to seek emergency care at a local hospital Pea said. In addition although there are plans to contract with area hospitals to provide some inpatient veterans care the medical personnel in those facilities are unlikely to have the necessary expertise in treating the injuries and psychological trauma sustained by combat veterans.
