Texas House Bill HB1948

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/20/09

Caption

Relating to a public health extension service pilot program.

Impact

Should HB1948 be enacted, it would significantly impact Texas public health laws by creating a structured framework for emergency preparedness and response. The bill allows the Department of State Health Services to contract with educational institutions, such as The Texas A&M University System or The University of Texas System, for the program's implementation. This collaborative effort could bolster medical logistics and emergency management efforts throughout the region, ensuring better preparedness for public health emergencies.

Summary

House Bill 1948 aims to establish a public health extension service pilot program in Texas, particularly focusing on Health Service Region 11, which has been identified as vulnerable to biosecurity threats and disasters. The bill outlines a variety of goals designed to strengthen local public health and medical infrastructure. Key objectives include enhancing disease control, medical preparedness, and biosecurity measures that can detect the introduction of harmful biological agents.

Contention

While the bill presents various benefits for public health management and response capabilities, concerns may arise regarding its implementation logistics and the allocation of resources. As the program operates within a defined region, questions about the scalability of its practices and the potential for equitable health service access across other areas of Texas could become focal points of discussion. Additionally, the bill stipulates that it will expire after a set period unless renewed, raising further questions regarding its long-term viability and funding.