HLS 12RS-1380 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 112
BY REPRESENTATIVE HUNTER
PUBLIC HEALTH: Requests the Dept. of Health and Hospitals to assess the viability of
establishing public health research centers through public-private partnerships in
medically underserved areas of the state
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To urge and request the Department of Health and Hospitals to assess the viability of2
establishing public health research centers in medically underserved areas of the state3
through public-private partnerships for the purpose of studying certain prevalent4
diseases and to report its findings to the legislative committees on health and5
welfare.6
WHEREAS, diabetes, sickle-cell anemia, Tay-Sachs disease, hypertension, and7
Parkinson's disease are serious illnesses which are all too common and costly in this state;8
and9
WHEREAS, these illnesses can have severe detrimental impacts on the lives of10
persons whom they afflict, and particularly on persons with low incomes who have11
comparatively less access to prevention and treatment services; and12
WHEREAS, Louisiana's public institutions of higher education are the state's most13
valuable resource for scientific and social research; and14
WHEREAS, many private entities also engage in scientific and social research, and15
can serve as ideal partners in public interest endeavors such as improving public health; and16
WHEREAS, the charge of the office of public health within the Department of17
Health and Hospitals is to protect and promote the health of the communities of our state;18
and19 HLS 12RS-1380 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 112
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WHEREAS, the Department of Health and Hospitals is uniquely qualified to lead an1
assessment of innovative ways to improve public health due to its abundance of expertise2
and to its public purpose of serving those with the greatest health needs.3
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby4
urge and request the Department of Health and Hospitals to assess the viability of5
establishing public health research centers in medically underserved areas of the state6
through public-private partnerships for the purpose of studying certain prevalent diseases.7
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the premises of the assessment shall include the8
following:9
(1) That the public health research centers would be operated through public-private10
partnerships.11
(2) That such centers would be physically located in communities which are12
classified as medically underserved areas or which comprise medically underserved13
populations according to the standards of the Health Resources and Services Administration14
of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.15
(3) That the purpose of such centers would be to conduct research on incidence,16
prevention, and treatment of prevalent illnesses, including but not limited to diabetes, sickle-17
cell anemia, Tay-Sachs disease, hypertension, and Parkinson's disease.18
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in developing the assessment, the department19
shall engage and seek input from the leadership of the Louisiana State University System,20
the Southern University System, and the University of Louisiana System.21
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department shall report the findings of the22
assessment in the form of a written report to the House Committee on Health and Welfare23
and the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare on or before December 31, 2012.24
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the25
secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals, the president of the Louisiana State26
University System, the president of the Southern University System, and the president of the27
of the University of Louisiana System.28 HLS 12RS-1380 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 112
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DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Hunter HCR No. 112
Requests the Dept. of Health and Hospitals to assess the viability of establishing public
health research centers through public-private partnerships in medically underserved areas
of the state.