IN THIS ISSUE:    A Note from the Chairman  THA to Honor Outstanding Legislators Join Rep. Pitts at Aug. 6 Leadership Reception HOSPAC Honors Board Member with Inaugural HOSPAC Star Trustee Award Next Reception: Houston Fundraising Update   Make Your Voice Heard ... Join HOSPAC! HOSPAC Notes is a periodic publication of the Texas Hospital Association's Political Action Committee, 1108 Lavaca, Suite 700, Austin, Texas 78701, 512/465-1047. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher. Lisa Kepple  Director, HOSPAC Jennifer O'Neil Public Affairs Specialist Amanda Engler Managing Editor Kathy Li Production Editor

A Note from the Chairman These are the dog days of summer, and things certainly are hot! Federal health care reform is on the fast-track, and the Texas Hospital Association has shifted its attention to Washington, D.C. THA is in frequent contact with members of the Texas Congressional Delegation, providing input on how trial proposals would impact Texas hospitals. In addition, THA is working with the American Hospital Association on policy issues and coordinating advocacy activities. HOSPAC and THA have worked hard to build meaningful relationships with Texas’ congressional representatives, and these elected officials are eager to hear the hospital perspective. I urge you to keep up with the latest through THA’s weekly newsletter, the Health Care Advocate, and to plan a visit with your congressional representative while he or she is home during the August recess. Although Congress has an aggressive timetable, it is uncertain if lawmakers will be able to achieve the target dates. The Senate and House versions of the legislation differ on key points, which will be resolved in conference committee, and that likely will go into the fall. This is the time to make your voice heard! I’d like to give a very special congratulations to Peggy Allison, an associate board member at Methodist Healthcare System of San Antonio, for receiving the inaugural HOSPAC Star Trustee Award (see story below). Peggy is an outstanding HOSPAC leader and it will be a privilege to present this award to her. On a fundraising note, I’m happy to report that HOSPAC has surpassed the halfway mark toward meeting its 2009 goal of $267,000. Let’s keep up the momentum – go online and make your pledge or contribution today. And try to stay cool this summer! Steve Sanders Chairman, HOSPAC Board of Directors Serving with Sanders is the 32-member HOSPAC Board of Directors.  THA to Honor Outstanding Legislators  The Texas Hospital Association will honor 12 legislators for their health care accomplishments during the 81st Regular Session of the Texas Legislature. Awards will be presented individually over the next several months at appropriate Association-related events or at special events in the legislator’s district. One of the first awards will be presented at the HOSPAC Leadership Reception on Aug. 6 (see related article below).   Recipients of the 2009 Texas Hospital Advocate Tribute award serving in the Texas Senate include: Sen. Kip Averitt (R-Waco), Sen. Robert Duncan (R-Lubbock), Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-Mission) and Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound). Texas House members receiving the 2009 award include: Rep. Garnet Coleman (D-Houston), Rep. Dawnna Dukes (D-Austin), Rep. Craig Eiland (D-Galveston), Rep. Susan King (R-Abilene), Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin), Rep. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham), Rep. Jim Pitts (R-Waxahachie) and Rep. John Zerwas, M.D. (R-Richmond). THA created the Texas Hospital Advocacy Tribute award in 1997 to honor state legislators and other public officials who demonstrate outstanding leadership on issues important to hospitals and health systems. To date, a total of 39 legislators have been honored, and HOSPAC has supported each of them in their campaign efforts. Join Rep. Pitts at Aug. 6 Leadership Reception Rep. Jim Pitts Invitations have gone out for HOSPAC’s next Leadership Reception on Aug. 6 at the Renaissance Hotel in Austin. Rep. Jim Pitts (R-Waxahachie), chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, will be the featured guest at the reception, which is being held in conjunction with the Texas Healthcare Trustees Annual Conference. Texas Hospital Association President/Chief Executive Officer Dan Stultz, M.D., FACP, FACHE, also will present Rep. Pitts with his 2009 Texas Hospital Advocacy Tribute award during the event for his outstanding work during the 81st Legislative Session. Don’t miss it! All HOSPAC leadership level members and their guests are welcome to attend. Complete details, as well as an online RSVP form, are available on HOSPAC’s Web site. Be sure to make your HOSPAC leadership level contribution or pledge soon so that your name can be listed on the leadership recognition displays at this event. For your convenience, you can make your 2009 contribution online at any time.  HOSPAC Honors Board Member with Inaugural HOSPAC Star Trustee Award  HOSPAC will present Margaret “Peggy” Allison with its inaugural HOSPAC Star Trustee Award during the Texas Healthcare Trustees Annual Conference held Aug. 6-8 at the Renaissance Hotel in Austin. Allison, an associate board member at Methodist Healthcare System of San Antonio, has been a HOSPAC President’s Council member for many years, has served on the HOSPAC Board of Directors for eight years and has participated on the board’s Strategic Planning Committee. Through her work with the Texas Healthcare Trustees, of which she is a past chairman, Allison has inspired numerous hospital governing board members to join HOSPAC and become more politically active. She truly understands the importance of building relationships with elected officials to help shape the future of health care policy.             Texas Healthcare Trustees, the Texas Hospital Association and HOSPAC congratulate Peggy Allison and thank her for her tireless support. Next Reception: Houston  The date and location are still being finalized, but HOSPAC is planning its next Leadership Reception in Houston! Rep. John Zerwas, M.D. (R-Richmond), will be invited as the special guest speaker. He will also be receiving his 2009 Texas Hospital Advocacy Tribute award at this reception. Watch for more details soon!    Fundraising Update HOSPAC has passed the halfway mark, but more funds are needed to meet the 2009 goal of $267,000. Visit www.HOSPAC.org or call HOSPAC Director Lisa Kepple at 512/465-1047 for more information on how you can join your colleagues to help HOSPAC reach its goal.   Contributions and Pledges as of July 10:* Overall:   $138,083 (52% of $267,000 goal) State PAC:   $ 77,731 (64% of $121,000 goal) Federal PAC:  $ 50,692 (40% of $121,000 goal) CORP PAC:  $   9,660 (42% of $25,000 goal)  * Reflects most recent pledges/deposits received prior to publication. Back to top

According to Texas Government Code 305.02, portions of this material may be considered “legislative advertising.” Authorization for its publication is made by John Hawkins, senior vice president of government and public affairs,
Texas Hospital Association,
P.O. Box 679010, Austin, Texas 78767-9010.

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