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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 196
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is proud to |
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welcome members of the Texas Organization of Rural and Community |
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Hospitals, also known as TORCH, on their visit to the Capitol on |
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February 14, 2007; and |
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WHEREAS, Established in 1990, TORCH is now in its 16th year |
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and has become known as the voice that speaks for the rural and |
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community hospitals of Texas and as a model for rural health-care |
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organizations across the nation; and |
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WHEREAS, The passing of its former founder and longtime |
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president and chief executive officer, John F. Boff, on |
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July 22, 2006, was met with great sorrow by the members and |
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partners of this proud and prestigious organization; and |
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WHEREAS, Through its grassroots, dynamic, and |
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collaborative work ethic, TORCH has helped small community |
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hospitals and remote rural hospitals survive in an economic and |
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regulatory environment that has become increasingly challenging; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Of the 254 counties in Texas, 177 are considered |
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rural; of these counties, 50 have no hospital and 99 have one |
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hospital; 177 counties are designated as medically underserved |
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and 112 Texas counties have been designated as health professional |
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shortage areas; in addition, 46 counties have been designated as |
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partial shortage areas; and |
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WHEREAS, Over three million Texans rely on rural hospitals |
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to provide access to high-quality medical care; TORCH is a source |
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of support for these hospitals, which are challenged with providing |
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care for a growing number of uninsured families, dealing with |
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higher costs and lower reimbursements, keeping pace with |
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technology and capital improvements, and recruiting and |
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retaining highly qualified health-care professionals; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, |
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80th Legislature, hereby welcome the members of the Texas |
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Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals to the Capitol and |
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commend all those associated with this valuable organization for |
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their work on behalf of the Lone Star State's rural and community |
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hospitals; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in |
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their honor. |
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Eltife |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on February 14, 2007. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |