SRC-MKV S.C.R. 52 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.C.R. 52 2001S1237/2By: Van de Putte Health & Human Services 5/5/2001 As Filed DIGEST Both statewide and nationally, the public is focusing attention on issues facing the health care industry that impact each individual and family's personal and economic future well-being. A senior citizens prescription benefit to help seniors deal with the high price of prescription medication is being developed nationally. Genomics and biotech breakthroughs will shift the health care system from cure to prevention, which will bring added responsibilities for pharmacists. Pharmacists recognize the leadership of the physician and the need to have the physician at the head of the health care team with the pharmacist as a vital member of the team, along with nurses, dentists, and other health care professionals. It is in the public interest and crucial to the future of health care that physicians, pharmacists, nurses, dentists, other health care professionals, and other interested persons creatively think about future roles of health care providers. As a first step in this collaborative effort, the Texas Pharmacy Foundation partnered with the Texas Institute for Health Policy Research in September, 2000, to present a symposium on the Role of the Pharmacist in the 21st Century, seeking input from the other health professions as well as from pharmacists with a desire to be knowledgeable and proactive regarding the future of pharmacists in the State of Texas. The institute developed a research methodology that combined a qualitative approach (breakout sessions following expert presentations) with quantitative features (on-site instant opinion polling) to help achieve this goal of having pharmacists, physicians, nurses, other health care professionals, and other interested persons creatively think about future issues. PURPOSE As proposed, S.C.R. 52 submits the following resolutions: Provides that the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby recognizes the value that can be obtained for the citizens of Texas if health care professionals come together to discuss future roles for each profession and their interprofessional relationships with the end result being better quality health care for all persons and improved outcomes for medical treatments. Provides that the legislature encourages the foundation to continue its efforts to initiate this very important interprofessional dialogue and that the institute serve as a facilitating entity to bring all health care groups and other stakeholders together for exchange of information and creation of a blueprint for the future of health care service delivery. Provides that the Texas Statewide Health Coordinating Council, all agencies that are a part of the Health Professions Council, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, other agencies designated by the chair of the House Public Health Committee or the chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, and all state institutions of higher education health related programs are urged to fully cooperate with the continuation of this plan development. Provides that the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services and the House Committee on Public Health and the Committee on Human Services are each requested to have the chair of the committee or the chair's designee, attend each plenary session of the coalition of health groups which form the "Health Care Team" and participate in such sessions and report back on the recommendations of the group before the start of the next regular session of the Texas Legislature in January, 2003. Provides that the Texas Legislature hereby commends the Texas Pharmacy Foundation and the Texas Institute for Health Policy Research for providing leadership and opportunity for health care professionals, citizens, and patients to accomplish better health outcomes in their communities by engaging in dialogue that will result in a better understanding of the scope of practice of pharmacists and as a member of the "Health Care Team." Provides that a copy of this resolution be provided to the foundation and institute as an expression of the commendation from the Texas Legislature.