Texas House Bill HCR86

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Introduced: 3/5/09
• Refer: 3/16/09
• Report Pass: 4/8/09
• Refer: 5/1/09
• Report Pass: 5/8/09
• Enrolled: 5/23/09
• Passed: 6/19/09

Caption

Memorializing Congress in support of establishing a veterans hospital in the Rio Grande Valley.

Impact

The passing of HCR86 could significantly enhance access to healthcare for veterans in the Rio Grande Valley. By advocating for a full-service veterans hospital closer to home, this resolution aims to alleviate the hardships related to travel and healthcare service availability that veterans in the area endure. Moreover, it emphasizes the need for specialized care that is well-equipped to address the unique health issues faced by combat veterans, such as psychological trauma and complex medical needs.

Summary

HCR86 is a concurrent resolution affirming the support of the Texas Legislature for the establishment of a veterans hospital in the Rio Grande Valley. This resolution addresses the significant challenges faced by over 100,000 veterans residing in the region who currently have to travel up to 300 miles to the nearest Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facility in San Antonio. Such travel not only imposes a heavy burden on the veterans, many of whom encounter long wait times for appointments but also places a strain on their families who must assist with transportation and other logistics.

Contention

While HCR86 seeks to address the pressing need for a veterans hospital in the region, there could be potential challenges in its implementation. Critics may argue about the logistics and funding required to establish a new hospital, as well as the ongoing challenge of ensuring that the hospital is adequately staffed with qualified personnel trained to deal with veteran-specific health issues. Additionally, there may be discussions about the prioritization of such projects in relation to other infrastructure and healthcare needs across the state.