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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, National Hospital Week is taking place from May 8 to |
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14, 2016, and this occasion provides a welcome opportunity to |
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recognize those vital institutions that contribute immeasurably to |
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the health and well-being of Americans; and |
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WHEREAS, Dating back to 1921, this observance grew out of a |
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citywide celebration suggested by a Chicago newspaper editor who |
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hoped to alleviate public fears about hospitals in the wake of a |
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deadly flu epidemic; the event succeeded in engendering trust and |
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good will, and it expanded to an entire week in 1953; today, it is |
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sponsored by the American Hospital Association as one of the |
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country's largest health care observances; and |
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WHEREAS, Texas provides vital health services to its nearly |
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27 million residents through 611 hospitals, which together house |
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more than 86,000 licensed beds; these diverse institutions range |
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from general acute-care and pediatric hospitals to psychiatric, |
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rehabilitation, cancer, and other specialty facilities; about 27 |
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percent are located in rural areas of the state, while more than 73 |
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percent are in urban areas; and |
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WHEREAS, Over 280 of the state's hospitals are designated |
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trauma facilities and staffed by specially trained physicians and |
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nurses, as well as supported by EMS personnel who provide urgent |
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prehospital care through ground and air transportation; and |
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WHEREAS, During 2014, Texas hospitals provided care for an |
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estimated 2.5 million inpatients, 40 million outpatients, and 10.4 |
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million emergency patients; in addition, these institutions are |
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required by state and federal law to assess and stabilize all who |
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come to the emergency room, without regard to their ability to pay; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, An invaluable source of private sector jobs in the |
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state, hospitals employ more than 400,000 Texans, among them |
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doctors, nurses, technicians, therapists, engineers, |
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administrators, food service workers, and many more; and |
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WHEREAS, Hospitals play a critical role in society, offering |
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treatment and comfort to the sick, conducting groundbreaking |
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research, and ushering new lives into the world; moreover, |
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hospitals are increasingly active in expanding health care access |
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and developing preventive health initiatives that foster wellness |
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throughout communities; and |
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WHEREAS, National Hospital Week celebrates both hospitals |
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and the professionals who work tirelessly every day to improve the |
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health of their fellow citizens through compassionate care, |
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advanced diagnostic and treatment tools, and unyielding dedication |
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to the well-being of their communities; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate National Hospital Week 2016 and |
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express sincere appreciation to all those whose endeavors support |
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the continued excellence of the hospital system across the Lone |
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Star State. |
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Price |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 3634 was adopted by the House on June |
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1, 2015, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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