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A Note from the Chairman
Steve Sanders |
It's a privilege to begin this month's newsletter with a tribute to one of HOSPAC's most ardent supporters, Don Beeler, who will be honored as a 2009 Grassroots Champion during the American Hospital Association's Annual Membership Meeting April 28 in Washington, D.C. Congratulations to Don and thanks for all you do!
HOSPAC is constantly striving to improve how it communicates with members and prospective members. Please take a few minutes to share your opinions in a brief, confidential online survey before the March 27 deadline. Your feedback is valued by the HOSPAC Board and staff, and it will help shape our future decisions. Thanks in advance for your support.
HOSPAC is kicking off its 2009 fundraising campaign…and it's never too soon to make your contribution! Already, members of the HOSPAC Board of Directors, the Texas Hospital Association Board of Trustees and other key THA committees are making their pledges (or direct contributions) to help HOSPAC reach its goal of raising $267,000 – all of which goes to support the election of candidates who are knowledgeable about health care issues. Won't you join us in this worthy effort? Make your 2009 HOSPAC contribution today!
Baseball season is just around the corner and the HOSPAC Board looks forward to seeing many of you at our first Leadership Reception of the year, May 12 at the Texas Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Mark your calendar and plan to be there as the Rangers show the Seattle Mariners how the game is played. Batter up!
Steve Sanders,
Chairman, HOSPAC Board of Directors
Serving with Sanders is the HOSPAC Board of Directors
HOSPAC Wants Your Opinions
HOSPAC wants to know what you think! If you are reading this newsletter, you should have received an e-mail inviting you to participate in a brief, confidential online survey about HOSPAC. Feedback from both contributors and non-contributors will help HOSPAC plan for the future.
The survey, which will remain open through March 27, takes about five minutes to complete. Thanks in advance for your input!
Grassroots Champion for 2009: Don Beeler
Don A. Beeler, FACHE, president/CEO of CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health Care System in San Antonio, will be honored April 28 at the American Hospital Association's Annual Membership Meeting in Washington, D.C., as a 2009 Grassroots Champion. The award, presented annually to one individual from each state, was created to recognize those hospital leaders who most effectively educate elected officials on how major issues affect the hospital's vital role in the community, who have done an exemplary job in broadening the base of community support for the hospital, and who are tireless advocates for hospitals and their patients.
As a hospital executive, Beeler has built strong relationships with local, state and federal elected officials, frequently hosting legislators at his system's four hospitals. As a member of the Greater San Antonio
Don Beeler, FACHE | Chamber of Commerce board and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, he highlights the value of the city's health care infrastructure.
Since 1999, Beeler has been a passionate champion for HOSPAC. During his nine years of HOSPAC Board leadership, the organization expanded the involvement of hospital CEOs statewide and consistently increased contributions. During his tenure, HOSPAC created new donor recognition levels: Ambassadors for those giving $2,000+ annually, and the President's Council for $1,500 contributors. He also initiated Leadership Receptions as fundraising/recognition events with opportunities to interact with key elected officials. He served as a member of the THA Board of Trustees from 2004-2008, and of THA's Council on Policy Development from 1996-2004. He also used these forums to promote participation in HOSPAC.
Immediate past chairman of the Greater San Antonio Hospital Council, Beeler leads the MHA Advisory Board at Trinity University and has mentored numerous residents, instilling the importance of participation in the political process. Congratulations, Don Beeler!
Keeping Up With the Texas Legislature
The The Texas Legislature is in full swing, and the Texas Hospital Association is keeping up with the action. THA has two weekly e-newsletters to keep members informed: the Health Care Advocate, which features regulatory news and federal updates, and the Capitol Update, which is focused on specific state legislative initiatives important to hospitals. Both publications are available for viewing on THA's Web site (member access required).
Interested in a specific bill? THA is tracking a number of bills of interest to hospitals. Changes in bill status will be updated frequently so that information is timely. Click here to view the complete list.
And, though THA is still new to the social media world, you can follow our latest happenings on Twitter: Look for @texashospitals.
Key House and Senate Committees
Most legislation of interest to hospitals passes through two key committees: the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and the House Public Health Committee. Other committees, such as Senate Finance and House Appropriations, will make important decisions about the state budget, and still other powerful committees – such as Calendars – determine where and when bills get assigned.
In late January, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst announced committee assignments for the Texas Senate. As anticipated, there were few changes, and Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) retained chairmanship of the Health and Human Services Committee. Sen. Robert Deuell, M.D., (R-Greenville) is vice chair. The only new committee member is Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston), who won the special election to replace Kyle Janek, who resigned last year. The full list of Senate committees is available online.
In February, Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Joe Straus (R-San Antonio) released House committee assignments for the 2009 legislative session. Of the 34 standing committees, 18 are chaired by Republicans and 16 are chaired by Democrats, compared with last session's split of 30 Republican chairs and 10 Democratic chairs.
Rep. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) is the new chair of the Public Health Committee, and Rep. Elliott Naishtat (D-Austin) is vice chair. Other Public Health Committee members include Reps. Garnet Coleman (D-Houston), Vicki Truitt (R-Southlake), Chuck Hopson (D-Jacksonville), Jim McReynolds (D-Lufkin), John Davis (R-Houston), Veronica Gonzales (D-McAllen), Susan King (R-Abilene), Jodie Laubenberg (R-Rockwall) and John Zerwas (R-Houston).
Rep. Jim Pitts (R-Waxahachie) chairs the Appropriations Committee – a post he held in 2005 – and Rep. John Smithee (R-Amarillo) was reappointed to lead the Insurance Committee. Rep. Brian McCall (R-Plano) chairs the Calendars Committee, which determines the House agenda. Rep. Jim Dunnam (D-Waco) – widely regarded as the person responsible for Straus' rise to Speaker – was appointed to head the Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization Funding, which will help direct how federal stimulus funds will be distributed among state agencies.
Next Leadership Reception: May 12 in Arlington
Mark your calendar for HOSPAC's first Leadership Reception of 2009: May 12 at the Texas Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. It's become an annual tradition to kick off HOSPAC's general fundraising campaign with baseball (Rangers vs. Mariners), hot dogs, peanuts and popcorn…and this year is no different. Make plans now to network with your colleagues at this popular event, hosted once again by Sterling Barnett Little, Inc., at the SBL office suite overlooking the baseball field.
Watch your mail and inbox for more details! Be sure to make your HOSPAC leadership level contribution soon so that you can be listed as a member of the host committee for this event. Click here to make your 2009 contribution online now.
THA Has New URL
The Texas Hospital Association's Web site address has changed, effective March 1. Please bookmark the new URL, www.tha.org. The change is in response to member feedback for a shorter, more intuitive address. The new URL is consistent with THA staff e-mail address configurations. HOSPAC's Web address, www.HOSPAC.org, remains unchanged. |
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A Voice for Those Who Care