H.R. No. 667
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Texas Medical Association physicians, resident
physicians, medical students, and Alliance members are visiting the
State Capitol on the first Tuesday of every month during the 81st
Texas Legislature to discuss issues of importance to the medical
profession; and
WHEREAS, The TMA and the TMA Alliance began the First
Tuesdays program at the State Capitol in 2003; and
WHEREAS, During each session since then, TMA physicians, TMA
Alliance members, residents, and medical students have come to
Austin from across Texas to visit their senators and
representatives to discuss the association's legislative agenda;
and
WHEREAS, The First Tuesdays at the Capitol program has grown
steadily and has become a resounding success; the number of "white
coats" walking the halls of the Capitol makes a big impression, as
physicians advocate policy solutions to improve health care
delivery for their patients; and
WHEREAS, The Texas Medical Association and the Texas Medical
Association Alliance work together to train, provide policy and
legislative briefings, and provide support to all First Tuesday
participants so that they are able to educate senators and
representatives and their staffs about TMA's legislative
proposals; and
WHEREAS, In 2009, those taking part in First Tuesdays at the
Capitol will discuss the need for health insurance reform, for
protecting medical liability reforms, to improve funding and reduce
administrative burdens for the Medicaid and CHIP programs, to
increase patient safety, and for keeping new medical school
graduates in Texas; they will also discuss finding constructive
solutions to reducing obesity, increasing immunizations, and
dealing with other public health issues; and
WHEREAS, April 7, 2009, is the day set aside for medical
students and residents, those representing the next generation of
Texas physicians, to share their ideas on improving medical care
and on helping Texas continue to be the best state in which to
practice medicine; and
WHEREAS, The "White Coat Invasions" on February 3, March 3,
April 7, and May 5, 2009, allow the skilled and hardworking
physicians of Texas the opportunity to make their concerns known
directly to their elected representatives, and this monthly event
is truly worthy of recognition; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby welcome the participants in the First Tuesdays
at the Capitol program of the Texas Medical Association and the
Texas Medical Association Alliance and extend best wishes to the
medical care professionals who are giving their time to this
important endeavor.
Shelton
King of Taylor
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 667 was adopted by the House on March
3, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House