SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1-1 WHEREAS, Despite a healthy economy, the number of Americans
1-2 without health insurance is at a decade high with an estimated 43
1-3 million people, or 16 percent of the population, lacking health
1-4 insurance coverage; and
1-5 WHEREAS, Nearly one quarter of all Texans lack health
1-6 insurance, giving Texas the dubious distinction of having one of
1-7 the highest rates of uninsured in the country; and
1-8 WHEREAS, Demographic analysis of uninsured Texans reveals
1-9 that they are predominantly low-wage workers and their families;
1-10 and
1-11 WHEREAS, State welfare reform efforts have succeeded in
1-12 moving many Texans from welfare to work, but the long-term success
1-13 of reform is jeopardized because these workers earn enough to lose
1-14 their Medicaid eligibility yet do not earn enough to afford
1-15 traditional health insurance coverage; and
1-16 WHEREAS, Texans lacking health insurance cite the expense of
1-17 coverage as the primary reason for forgoing it, and those whose
1-18 health care needs go unaddressed are 50 to 70 percent more likely
1-19 to be hospitalized for conditions that could have been avoided had
1-20 medical attention been accessible to them; and
1-21 WHEREAS, The burden of providing health care to uninsured
1-22 Texans falls on county indigent health care programs, hospitals,
1-23 and individual physicians and costs taxpayers an estimated two to
1-24 four billion dollars per year; and
2-1 WHEREAS, This emerging health care crisis poses a threat to
2-2 our thriving economy, which in turn will negatively impact all
2-3 Texans, regardless of their own health coverage; and
2-4 WHEREAS, State policymakers are actively addressing the
2-5 issues of managed care and the health insurance needs of Texas
2-6 children and citizens requiring long-term care; addressing the
2-7 expansion of health insurance coverage to those lacking it will
2-8 promote the overall health of Texans, which in turn will protect
2-9 our strong economy; now, therefore, be it
2-10 RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas
2-11 hereby urge the governor, lieutenant governor, and the speaker of
2-12 the house of representatives to establish and provide resources,
2-13 including staffing, for a Blue Ribbon Task Force to conduct an
2-14 in-depth study of the uninsured issue; and, be it further
2-15 RESOLVED, That the Blue Ribbon Task Force be directed to
2-16 perform targeted studies of the unique problems faced by Texans
2-17 lacking health coverage that also suffer from asthma,
2-18 cardiovascular disease, smoking-related illnesses or diabetes;
2-19 review demographic trends of data, as specific as possible,
2-20 relating to the uninsured population; examine other states'
2-21 programs, laws, and systems to address the lack of affordable
2-22 health coverage; evaluate existing programs in Texas that address
2-23 the uninsured and indigent health care needs, including government,
2-24 public, and private initiatives; and develop a market-based
2-25 improvement plan, including financing tools and models, to ensure
2-26 that Texans have access to affordable health care coverage; and, be
3-1 it further
3-2 RESOLVED, That the task force be composed of nine members:
3-3 three members representing the public to be appointed by the
3-4 governor, three members of the senate to be appointed by the
3-5 lieutenant governor, and three members of the house of
3-6 representatives to be appointed by the speaker of the house, with
3-7 the chair to be elected by the members; and, be it further
3-8 RESOLVED, That for the appointments, efforts be made to
3-9 include representatives from the business community, consumers,
3-10 insurers, academics, health care providers, and others with
3-11 expertise and interest in the Texas health care delivery system;
3-12 and, be it further
3-13 RESOLVED, That the proceedings and operations of the task
3-14 force be governed by such general rules and policies for joint
3-15 interim committees as the 76th Legislature may adopt and that such
3-16 rules and policies supersede the provisions of this resolution to
3-17 the extent of any conflict.
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 6 was adopted by the Senate
on March 11, 1999; and that the Senate concurred in House amendment
on May 28, 1999, by a viva-voce vote.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 6 was adopted by the House,
with amendment, on May 25, 1999.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
_______________________________
Date
_______________________________
Governor