1-1 By: Zaffirini S.C.R. No. 124 1-2 (In the Senate - Filed April 20, 1995; April 20, 1995, read 1-3 first time and referred to Committee on Health and Human Services; 1-4 April 27, 1995, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 8, 1-5 Nays 0; April 27, 1995, sent to printer.) 1-6 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-7 WHEREAS, The Texas Charter for Public Higher Education 1-8 establishes public service as a "significant function" of the 1-9 higher education system, including junior colleges and community 1-10 colleges, with direct patient care being an additional 1-11 responsibility of the state's health science institutions; and 1-12 WHEREAS, The contribution of these institutions in providing 1-13 patient care and producing a medical workforce in keeping with the 1-14 needs of the state has become increasingly important in an era of 1-15 budget constraints and health care reform; and 1-16 WHEREAS, Residents in many areas of the state are medically 1-17 underserved and could benefit greatly by enhancement of the level 1-18 of health professions education in those regions; now, therefore, 1-19 be it 1-20 RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas 1-21 hereby direct the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to 1-22 study the feasibility and advisability of defining and establishing 1-23 regional areas of principal responsibility for health professions 1-24 education at institutions of higher education to ensure statewide 1-25 access to these programs; and, be it further 1-26 RESOLVED, That the institutions that provide health 1-27 professions education cooperate with the Texas Higher Education 1-28 Coordinating Board in developing the report; and, be it further 1-29 RESOLVED, That the purpose of these regions is to establish a 1-30 specific level of accountability for each institution in its 1-31 designated service area; and, be it further 1-32 RESOLVED, That the board report its findings to the governor, 1-33 the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of 1-34 representatives, and members of the legislature by December 1, 1-35 1996; and, be it further 1-36 RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward an official 1-37 copy of this resolution to the members of the Texas Higher 1-38 Education Coordinating Board. 1-39 * * * * *