Texas Senate Bill SB1887

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to excellence funding for health-related institutions of higher education.

Impact

The bill outlines that to be eligible for annual distributions from the fund, health-related institutions must make a significant initial contribution to the fund and demonstrate their capacity for excellence through various performance metrics. This includes factors such as funded research, faculty quality, number of doctoral degrees awarded, and successful commercialization efforts. By linking funding to performance, the bill encourages institutions to strive for higher standards in healthcare education and research, ultimately benefiting the healthcare workforce and services in Texas.

Summary

SB1887 proposes the establishment of an excellence fund for health-related institutions of higher education in Texas. The primary goal of this fund is to sustain and enhance the excellence in education, training of healthcare professionals, and clinical care provided by these institutions. By dedicating resources to support their missions, the bill aims to address pressing health issues facing Texas and contribute to the overall improvement of health outcomes across the state and nation. The fund will be structured to ensure that eligible institutions, which must include a medical school, are adequately funded based on their performance metrics.

Sentiment

The reception of SB1887 is primarily positive among educational and health care communities, who view the excellence fund as an essential step toward bolstering Texas' health-related education system. Supporters argue that the bill will lead to more robust medical training and improved healthcare services. However, there is a concern among some stakeholders about the dependency on performance metrics for funding, as it may disadvantage institutions that serve underrepresented populations or those that may not have equal access to research funding.

Contention

Noteworthy points of contention relate to the initial requirement for institutions to contribute a minimum of $2.5 million to the fund to qualify for state support. Critics may argue this puts a burden on smaller or underfunded institutions that may struggle to meet this requirement. Additionally, debates may arise concerning the effectiveness and fairness of the established performance metrics in assessing the contributions of various institutions, particularly those located in economically disadvantaged areas.