Bill Text: TX SCR31 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Introduced

Texas Senate Concurrent Resolution 31 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Supporting the University of Houston System Board of Regents for their approval of a health science center at the University of Houston.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (N/A - Dead) 2013-03-26 - Referred to Higher Education [SCR31 Detail]

Download: Texas-2013-SCR31-Introduced.html



	By: Ellis	S.C.R. No. 31



	SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, Access to affordable health care is one of the most
	critical issues facing the State of Texas and the United States; and
	WHEREAS, Health care is the largest and fastest-growing
	industry in Texas, employing 1.3 million workers in more than 200
	careers; and
	WHEREAS, The University of Houston enrolls 11,000 students
	and confers 1,800 degrees in 97 health-related degree programs
	annually; and
	WHEREAS, The health sciences represent 27 percent of the
	University of Houston's enrollment, 24 percent of the degrees
	awarded, and 23 percent of the health-related degrees awarded in
	the region; and
	WHEREAS, The University of Houston's annual research awards
	in the health sciences total $40.5 million, 38 percent of the
	university's total research funding, and annual royalty income from
	commercialized drugs totals $12 million; and
	WHEREAS, The University of Houston's clinical programs in
	optometry, pharmacy, clinical psychology, social work, and other
	fields treat over 30,000 patients annually, many of them indigent
	and uninsured, and these programs generate over $3 million in
	revenue; and
	WHEREAS, The University of Houston is a member of the Texas
	Medical Center and has built numerous productive collaborations
	with other member institutions; and
	WHEREAS, By virtue of its educational, research, clinical,
	and community outreach programs, the University of Houston is one
	of the most important contributors to health care and the health
	sciences in the region and state; and
	WHEREAS, Organizing the University of Houston's
	health-related programs as part of a health science center will
	enhance the university's ability to address regional and state
	health care needs, spur innovation in the delivery of health care,
	reduce disparity in access to health care, elevate the university's
	visibility as a leader in the health sciences, and further the
	university's goal of attaining tier one status; and
	WHEREAS, Organizing the University of Houston's
	health-related programs as part of a health science center will
	result in a more efficient use of state resources by maximizing
	opportunities for collaboration across the entire university for
	the benefit of the people of Texas; and
	WHEREAS, Recognizing the breadth, impact, and potential of
	the University of Houston's health-related programs, the
	University of Houston System Board of Regents has approved the
	creation of a health science center at the University of Houston;
	now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the 83rd Legislature of the State of Texas
	hereby support the University of Houston System Board of Regents'
	creation of a health science center at the University of Houston.