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Let's
get
ready
for
the
80th
Legislative
Session
COLLEAGUES—Now
that
the
election
cycle
is
over
and
the
holidays
are
upon
us,
it’s
time
for
us
to
make
our
final
preparations
for
the
upcoming
80th
Legislative
Session.
Lawmakers
will
be
coming
into
this
session
with
a
budget
surplus
somewhere
between
$5
billion
and
$15
billion,
depending
on
whom
you
ask.
Part
of
the
reason
the
state
has
such
a
surplus
is
that
recent
legislatures
have
starved
down
the
state’s
health
care
safety
net
programs.
It’s
time
for
Texas
to
reinvest
in
the
Medicaid
and
CHIP
programs
to
ensure
that
our
patients’
access
to
care
and
quality
of
care
is
not
threatened.
With
such
a
high
number
of
uninsured
citizens
–
5.6
million
people
–
we
need
our
legislators
to
find
bipartisan
solutions
to
this
problem.
The
medical
literature
is
replete
with
studies
that
clearly
show
that
patients
have
higher
quality
care
and
better
health
outcomes
at
lower
cost
when
they
have
a
primary
care
medical
home.
Legislators,
employers
and
health
plans
are
paying
attention.
One
challenge
is
fewer
and
fewer
medical
students
are
choosing
to
pursue
primary
care
specialties.
We
must
strengthen
our
graduate
medical
education
programs
and
support
programs
that
encourage
careers
in
family
medicine.
To
have
success
in
this
legislative
session,
we’ll
need
help
from
all
members
on
all
fronts.
Now
is
a
good
time
to
explore
how
you
can
be
involved.
First,
I
encourage
you
to
sign
up
for
TAFP’s
Physician
of
the
Day
program.
As
Physician
of
the
Day,
you’ll
be
on
hand
to
treat
legislators,
their
families
and
other
visitors
to
the
Capitol
grounds
should
need
arise.
Though
you
are
discouraged
from
lobbying
while
you
serve,
this
program
shows
the
public
the
value
of
family
medicine.
Second,
take
the
time
to
congratulate
incumbents
and
welcome
new
representatives
or
senators
in
your
district,
paving
the
way
for
valuable
connections
that
will
help
make
them
aware
of
your
concerns.
Share
our
new
report,
“Fractured:
The
State
of
Health
Care
in
Texas,”
with
your
legislator
and
sign
up
with
TAFP’s
Key
Contacts
program,
through
which
you
can
serve
as
a
resource
to
your
legislators,
advocating
the
values
of
family
medicine
and
the
needs
of
your
patients.
Finally,
invest
in
the
TAFP
Political
Action
Committee
through
a
one-time
donation
or
by
signing
up
to
be
a
monthly
donor
at
any
amount.
TAFPPAC
speaks
on
behalf
of
family
physicians
and
their
patients
through
grassroots
involvement
and
political
campaign
participation
and
contributions.
Member
involvement
on
all
levels
will
make
the
voice
of
family
medicine
heard
in
the
halls
of
the
Texas
Capitol.
Have
a
happy
Thanksgiving
and
holiday
season,
and
as
always,
I
encourage
you
to
share
your
thoughts,
concerns
and
frustrations
with
me
by
e-mailing
president@tafp.org.
Sincerely,
Doug
Curran,
M.D.
President
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