By Turner of Coleman H.R. No. 284 76R6986 BE-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, Texas has the second largest rural population in the 1-2 nation, and the history of the Lone Star State is deeply rooted in 1-3 the ranches, small towns, and farms that continue to make up the 1-4 heart of Texas; and 1-5 WHEREAS, The 196 counties that are outside metropolitan 1-6 statistical areas are home to more than 15 percent of the state's 1-7 population, over three million residents; this constitutes a number 1-8 greater than the combined populations of Alaska, Delaware, North 1-9 Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming; and 1-10 WHEREAS, High quality health care is essential for rural 1-11 areas, and through the years tremendous strides have been made in 1-12 the establishment and maintenance of a rural health network that 1-13 delivers services and care to distant population centers; and 1-14 WHEREAS, The citizens of small Texas communities are 1-15 deserving of the best possible health care, and the statewide 1-16 network of providers and facilities in place today represents 1-17 exceptional efforts to that end; and 1-18 WHEREAS, There are, however, areas of the system where 1-19 efforts must be increased; the infant mortality rate for rural 1-20 Texas remains substantially higher than for its urban counterpart, 1-21 the chronic shortage of health care professionals in rural Texas 1-22 continues, and about 23 percent of rural Texans have no health 1-23 insurance; and 1-24 WHEREAS, A recent report to the governor and this legislature 2-1 from the Center for Rural Health Initiatives highlights many great 2-2 successes of the drive for rural health care in Texas, while also 2-3 citing needed improvements, such as increased communication and 2-4 cooperation between rural care deliverers and greater utilization 2-5 of alternative funding, including grants and federal financial 2-6 resources; and 2-7 WHEREAS, The rural health care delivery system in Texas is 2-8 critical to the well-being of this state, and rural physicians, 2-9 nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and other staff, 2-10 along with rural hospitals, are the lifeblood of this essential 2-11 system; it is indeed appropriate to take this opportunity to 2-12 recognize their contributions and take note of the importance of 2-13 rural health care to all of Texas; now, therefore, be it 2-14 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th 2-15 Legislature of the State of Texas hereby declare March 1-7, 1999, 2-16 Rural Health Care Week in Texas and express support for efforts 2-17 that enhance this vital service delivery system.