BILL ANALYSIS



C.S.H.C.R. 129
By: Rodriguez
05-09-95
Committee Report (Substituted)


BACKGROUND

The San Antonio State Chest Hospital was established in 1953 as a
tuberculosis sanitorium. Today, it is operated by the Texas
Department of Health (TDH) as a 115-bed hospital for the treatment
of infectious disease, including multiple-drug resistant
tuberculosis, Hansen's disease, and acquired immune deficiency
syndrome. The San Antonio State School was established in 1978 to
provide residential care to mentally retarded persons who cannot
otherwise care for themselves; it is operated by the Texas
Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (TxMHMR). The
San Antonio State Hospital, operated by TxMHMR was established in
1892 and provides mental health treatment to individuals with
mental illness.

The institutions share a 65-acre campus and cooperate to provide
services to complement their respective missions. The physical
plants of the institutions are in need of major maintenance in
their mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. The institutions
also require asbestos removal and other renovations that will
ensure suitable facilities for the care of the residents and
patients.

PURPOSE

H.C.R. 129 as substituted would authorize the TDH and TxMHMR to
conduct a feasibility study to ascertain the costs for constructing
or renovating buildings on the campus of the San Antonio State
Chest Hospital, the San Antonio State School, and the San Antonio
State Hospital in order to achieve the maximum benefits from their
collocation. The cost of the feasibility study will be within the
authorized appropriation of each agency.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

The substitute for H.C.R. 129 adds the San Antonio State Hospital
to the text. This institution is also on the shared campus of the
San Antonio State Chest Hospital and the San Antonio State School,
and was inadvertently left out of the H.C.R. as filed.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

H.C.R. 129 was considered by the Public Health Committee in a
public hearing on May 9, 1995. The committee considered a complete
substitute for the resolution. The substitute was adopted without
objection. The resolution was reported favorably as substituted,
with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed and sent to
the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars, by a record vote of
6 AYES, 0 NAYS, 0 PNV, and 3 ABSENT.