Authors of legislation doctors clinic administrators from across Texas urge lawmakers to support health care access bill
AUSTIN Texas March 23 2009 A stack of white lab coats representing the more than 500 primary care physicians that Texas is short will be presented at a Capitol event to show Texas lawmakers the urgent need to act on the family care provider shortage.
Rep. Warren Chisum (R-Pampa) and Rep. Richard Raymond (D-Laredo) will join doctors and clinic administrators from across Texas who are impacted by the health care access crisis.
Reps. Chisum and Raymond have co-authored legislation (House Bill 1876) aimed at increasing the number of primary care physicians practicing in rural inner city and other underserved areas. Texas has 114 counties federally identified as a Health Professional Shortage Areas. For millions of Texans the crisis is resulting in longer waits and longer distances to travel to see a doctor as well as longer lines at emergency rooms.
H.B. 1876 would consolidate and expand funding for loan repayment programs for physicians and other crucial health care providers who agree to practice in underserved communities. The bill would pay for the additional loan repayment funding by changing the way some tobacco products are taxed. The number of medical students going into primary care has plummeted due to extreme student loan debt (averaging $130000).
WHO:
Rep. Warren Chisum Rep. Richard Raymond other bill sponsors
Dr. Dana Sprute Austin Family Medicine Residency Program
Will discuss lack of medical students going into primary care
Clinic administrators and doctors from across Texas (including Houston Austin DFW area South Texas) to talk about the difficulty recruiting providers and community impact
WHAT: News Conference and Photo Opportunity for H.B. 1876 (Texas Health Care Access Fund)
WHEN: Monday March 23 2009; 10am
WHERE: Texas Capitol Speakers Committee Room (2W.6)
VISUALS:
White coats representing number of coats that need to be filled in Texas underserved communities large map showing shortage areas
Bipartisan group of Texas lawmakers with health care professionals
Professionally-shot B-roll available of community health centers in shortage areas
