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.