85R4971 KSM-F
By: Lozano H.C.R. No. 102
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Texas population is growing rapidly, and the
number of health care providers is not keeping pace; and
WHEREAS, Almost 70 percent of Texas counties were wholly or
partially designated as primary care Health Professional Shortage
Areas in 2015; and
WHEREAS, The Texas Legislature and governor approved $53
million for graduate medical education funding in the 84th
Legislative Session to help address this shortage; and
WHEREAS, Before that investment, the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board projected that, by 2016, more than 100 Texas
medical school graduates would not have an opportunity to remain in
state for their residency training due to a lack of first-year
residency positions; and
WHEREAS, In 2015, Texas medical schools awarded 1,692 doctor
of medicine and doctor of osteopathic medicine degrees, and the
state opened two new medical schools in 2016, and an additional four
medical schools may be created in the near future; and
WHEREAS, This new growth in the number of medical school
graduates will all but nullify or outstrip the legislature's recent
efforts to expand graduate medical education and further hinder
Texas' efforts to achieve the goal of 1.1 residency positions for
each medical school graduate; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby express its support for prioritizing a substantial increase
in funding for graduate medical education before it considers
authorizing the creation and support of additional medical schools
in our state; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Texas Legislature charge the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board to work with institutions of higher
education and the medical community to achieve the 1.1 to 1 goal for
graduate medical education; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward an
official copy of this resolution to all public and private
institutions of higher education in the state.