MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS HEALTH, SELECT
Monday, November 29,
2010
8:30 AM
Harlingen, Texas
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with
Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on
Veterans Health, Select was held on Monday, November 29, 2010, in the
auditorium of the Regional Academic Health Center, Harlingen, Texas.
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|
MEMBERS
PRESENT: |
|
MEMBERS
ABSENT: |
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Senator Jeff Wentworth, Chair |
|
Senator Wendy Davis |
|
Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Vice
Chair |
|
Senator Jane Nelson |
|
Senator Brian Birdwell |
|
|
*****
The chair called the meeting to order at 8:31
a.m. The following business was
conducted.
The chair made opening remarks.
The chair laid out Interim Charge One: Review the
availability and quality of federal health care benefits for Texas veterans, including
VA hospitals, primary and specialty health care services, and social work
services. Make recommendations to the
Texas Legislature and the Veterans Administration for improving access and
quality of services.
The chair laid out Interim Charge Two: Review the
availability and quality of state health care benefits for Texas veterans,
including state supported nursing homes, mental health services, and other
primary and specialty health care services.
Make recommendations to the Texas Legislature for improving access and
quality of services.
The following witness testified:
Colonel James H. Scott, Commander, Disabled American
Veterans, Department of Texas.
At 8:44 a.m. Senator Wentworth recognized Senator
Van de Putte and Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. to make remarks.
At 8:51 a.m. the committee clerk called the
roll. There was a quorum present.
Senator Van de Putte moved adoption of the minutes
from the previous hearing held on September 30, 2010; without objection, it was
so ordered.
Testimony resumed.
The following witnesses testified:
Paul E. Moore, Executive Secretary, Texas Veterans
Land Board
Ronald A. White, Director, Texas State Veterans
Homes
Terry Croker, Chief Executive Officer, Tropical
Texas Behavioral Health
Holly Borel, Chief Operating Officer, Tropical Texas
Behavioral Health
Larry Perez, State of Texas Commander, American G.I.
Forum of Texas
Salvador Salinas, Director, Cameron County Veterans
Services Office
Rey Molano, Commander, Vietnam Veterans of America
#856, Veterans Alliance
Mary Virginia Pittman-Waller, Founder/CEO,
MVP's/Warrior Heroes of America, Inc.
Tony Cordova, Commander, Purple Heart Chapter 5077
Homer Gallegos, Commander, Veterans Foreign Wars
Post 8788 McAllen
Rey Oropez, Assistant Veterans Officer, Hidalgo
County
Laura M. Torres, Spokesman, RGV Vet and Wounded Vet
Foundation
Linda J. Lopez, President and Secretary, Resident
Council, La Hacienda Health Nursing Home
Roy Maggard, Veterans Advocate, Disabled American
Veterans
David J. de Leon, Veteran, Vietnam War 1968-1969
The following witnesses registered, but did not
testify:
Marco A. De La Rosa, Executive Vice President, MVP's
Warrior Heroes of America, Inc.
Minnie Whitzel, Founder/Director, RGV Vets and
Wounded Vets Foundation
Paul C. Herrera, Immediate Past State Commander,
American G.I. Forum of Texas
Gil Rodriguez, State Executive, American G.I. Forum
of Texas
Jim Richman, Director, Claims Representation and
Counseling, Texas Veterans Commission
The chair moved that the public testimony be closed;
without objection, it was so ordered.
There being no further business, at 11:03 a.m.
Senator Van de Putte moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the
call of the chair. Without objection, it
was so ordered.
_____________________________
Senator Jeff Wentworth, Chair
_____________________________
Katie King Ogden, Director/Clerk