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Texas Physicians Seek Funding and Support in Washington, D.C., for Border Patients

WHAT:  Physician leaders from along the U.S.-Mexico Border and San Antonio are headed to Washington, D.C., to ask Congress to act now and prevent a 10.6-percent cut in physician Medicare payments. The payment cut is set to take effect on July 1. It could force many physicians to stop taking new Medicare patients. Physician leaders also are asking Congress to support a broad range of health issues affecting the millions of Americans who live within the border area.

Texas physicians are meeting one-on-one with U.S. representatives and senators for two days, and they have invited congressional leaders to the 3rd Border Health Conference. Issues that will be discussed at the conference include adequate funding for Medicare and Medicaid, support for training the next generation of physicians and other health professionals, ensuring quality health care for border patients, and proper preparedness for disasters and infectious epidemics. 

WHEN:

• June 23 — congressional meetings
• June 24 — 3rd Annual Border Health Conference
• June 25 — congressional meetings

WHERE:  Border Health Conference: Member’s Reading Room — Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

WHO:  Border physicians speaking on behalf of Texas patients at Capitol Hill include:

Eagle Pass

• David Land, DO, obstetrician and gynecologist — president, Maverick County Medical Society

Edinburg

• E. Linda Villarreal, MD, internist — TMA Legislative Council, TMA political action committee, Border Health Caucus

El Paso

• Manny Acosta, MD, surgeon — TMA Council on Legislation; chair, TMA political action committee; Border Health Caucus
• Gilbert A. Handal, MD, infectious disease specialist — Border Health Caucus
• Jose “Joe” Luna Jr., MD, family-medicine physician — El Paso County Medical Society
• David M. Palafox, MD, family-medicine physician — TMA Council on Medical Education; past president, El Paso County Medical Society
• Fernando F. Raudales, MD, nephrologist — TMA Council on Socioeconomics, TMA political action committee
• David O. Taber, MD, urologist — president, El Paso County Medical Society
• Luis H. Urrea II, MD, orthopedic surgeon — president-elect, El Paso County Medical Society; Border Health Caucus

Laredo

• Luis Benavides, MD, —TMA political action committee, TMA Council on Constitution and Bylaws, Border Health Caucus

McAllen

• Chevy Lee, MD, ophthalmologist — secretary, Hidalgo-Starr County Medical Society; Border Health Caucus
• Juan M. Campos, MD, MPH, MBA, family-medicine physician — TMA Council on Public Health; past president, Hidalgo-Starr County Medical Society; Border Health Caucus

San Antonio

• John J. Nava, MD, family-medicine physician — chair, Health and Patient Advocacy committee  and member of Emergency Preparedness committee, Bexar County Medical Society

TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing nearly 43,000 physician and medical student members. It is located in Austin and has 120 component county medical societies around the state. TMA’s key objective since 1853 is to improve the health of all Texans.

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Last Published: 6/19/2008