A Message from Comptroller Susan Combs
Despite nationwide declines in the construction industry, new hospitals and medical facilities are underway across Texas. Additional health care facilities and related medical construction are vital to serving the state’s population. Many rural Texas counties are grappling with a shortage of doctors, while burgeoning urban cities face similar challenges serving their residents’ health care needs.
As your strategic partner for local government management, the Comptroller’s office is pleased to present this issue of Texas Rising, which explores how Texas communities are working to attract doctors to underserved areas, finding creative ways to fund new medical facility construction and embracing medical technology to improve care for residents.
In our cover story, we visit the state’s rural areas, including Jim Hogg and Zapata counties, which are trying to fill health care needs by building new clinics. About 1.8 million Texans live in 118 counties deemed “Health Professional Shortage Areas” by the Texas Department of State Health Services. But new legislation passed last session could make it financially more attractive for doctors to locate in rural Texas areas in the coming years.
Next we travel to rural Friona in the Panhandle, where Parmer County officials are using $25 million in bonds to build a 34,000-square-foot medical center in 2010. In north Texas, the city of Borger has applied for an $18 million federal loan to build a much-needed 25-bed hospital. In our “Partnering for Impact” section, we learn how Texas counties can create hospital districts to fund treatment for residents who can’t afford to pay. We also share how counties can apply for the state’s indigent health care fund, which reimburses them for low-income patients’ health care bills.
In our recurring Local Government Assistance spotlight, we meet Frank Alvarez, who represents the Comptroller’s office in 24 counties in far West Texas and the Trans-Pecos area. Frank also serves as the project leader for the Comptroller’s Control Self Assessments program and Best Practices projects.
Also in this issue, we take some time to shine a spotlight on the best of Texas. With its tax-friendly environment, skilled work force and top-notch colleges and universities, our great state regularly rates high on national rankings. We share a few of the latest accolades, which recognize Texas cities as some of the best in the nation to work, live and play.
When it comes to economic development, creating jobs and generating new levels of prosperity, local governments in Texas are focused on rising to the occasion every time.
Susan Combs
Tell Us Your Story!
E-mail us at texas.rising@cpa.state.tx.us.
We want to hear about your town’s economic development accomplishments. Whether you’ve landed a new employer or partnered with a university to train tomorrow’s work force, please tell us the unique solutions you’re using to create success in your community every day.