Gov. Perry on Health Care and Tort Reform

Under Gov. Perry, Texas has reformed its child protective services, insured more of Texas’ needy children than ever before, and increased health care investments by more than $20 billion while promoting prevention and wellness programs to cut down on future health care costs. Gov. Perry has also led the most sweeping lawsuit reform in the nation, cracking down on junk asbestos claims and frivolous medical malpractice lawsuits. Now thousands more doctors, including specialists, are practicing in Texas, bringing greater access to quality health care for Texans.

Cracking Down on Frivolous Lawsuits. Medical Liability Reform. In 2003, Gov. Perry led the fight to pass the most sweeping medical liability reforms in the nation. Since then, frivolous lawsuits against doctors and hospitals have dropped dramatically, insurance costs have fallen, and access to health care has greatly improved. - More Doctors. More Specialists. In 2007, the Texas Medical Board received a record 4,041 applications for physician licenses, and issued a record 3,324 licenses. The board topped that again the next year, granting a new record 3,621 licenses in 2008. Texas has added 215 obstetricians since 2003, and the number of obstetricians practicing in rural Texas has grown by 27 percent.
Increased access in underserved areas. In 2009, Gov. Perry signed legislation to expand access to medical care in rural and medically underserved areas. House Bill 2154 creates a dedicated source of revenue to support education loan forgiveness for physicians who work in health professional shortage areas and provide services to Medicaid or CHIP recipients.
Protecting Children. Over 2.4 million of Texas poorest children – one out of every three children in the state – are now covered under the Children’s Health Insurance Program and Medicaid program.
Texas Protects its Most Vulnerable Citizens. Texas overhauled state supported living centers, formerly known as state schools, to provide more oversight and protection for the residents of the centers and those in community-based services.
Tough on Fraud. Gov. Perry authorized the creation of the Office of the Inspector General of the Health And Human Services Commission which saved taxpayers over $1.5 billion in fraud detection in government health care programs.

Read Related Press Releases, Blog Posts and News Articles about Gov. Perry's Efforts on Health Care and Tort Reform

Forbes: If one state is a poster child for economic recovery, it's Texas

Mon, 03/08/2010 - 3:18pm – jordanroot

March 08, 2010

AUSTIN – Forbes has ranked Austin as the city best surviving the recession. Austin tied with Washington, DC for the number one slot. Four Texas cities made the top 10, including Dallas, San Antonio and Houston. Forbes looked at unemployment, rate of job growth and projections, home prices and cost of goods and services.

“This Forbes ranking highlights the relative economic strength of our state’s major metropolitan cities, which is good news not only for the people who live in Texas, but for those looking to move to a state with a strong economic future,” said Gov. Rick Perry. “Texas continues to be the best state in the nation to live, work and raise a family thanks to our low tax burden, predictable regulatory climate, skilled workforce and principled, disciplined spending.”

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Forbes: If one state is a poster child for economic recovery, it's Texas

Mon, 03/08/2010 - 3:18pm – jordanroot

March 08, 2010

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VIDEO: "Leader"

Mon, 02/15/2010 - 12:37pm – wfranklin

The Republican primary for Texas Governor takes place on March 2, but early voting in Texas begins February 16 and runs through the 26th. The momentum behind the Governor's campaign is palpable, and the campaign made this new video that you can share with your friends and neighbors to help fire up your fellow Texans about getting out and voting early for Governor Rick Perry:

Find your early voting location here.

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Texas Ophthalmological Association Endorses Gov. Rick Perry for Re-election

February 8, 2010

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today received the endorsement of the Texas Ophthalmological Association (TOA) Executive Council for re-election in 2010.

“The TOA Executive Council voted to endorse Governor Perry based on his long track record of advancing medical care in the state of Texas,” said TOA President R. Galen Kemp, MD, an ophthalmologist from Waxahachie. “Governor Perry led the charge on groundbreaking medical liability reform in Texas which brought needed physicians to Texas and now serves as model legislation for other states.”

The TOA is a member organization of over 800 Texas ophthalmologists, which was founded in 1956 to promote the science and art of medical eye care through education and advocacy. The TOA is Texas’ largest organization of eye physicians and surgeons.

“I am honored to have the support of the Texas ophthalmologist community,” said Gov. Rick Perry. “These dedicated doctors are instrumental in improving the health and quality of life of Texans. I’m proud that our effort to crack down on lawsuit abuse has made Texas a healthier place to live, work and raise a family.”

Texas Pharmacy Association PAC Endorses Gov. Perry for Re-election

February 3, 2010

Gov. Rick Perry today received the endorsement of PharmPAC, the political action committee of the Texas Pharmacy Association, for re-election in 2010.

“I have been involved in health care for more than 30 years and have witnessed the solid public policy leadership of Rick Perry for 25 of those years,” said Joe A. DaSilva, CAE, FACHE, TPA’s new executive director and CEO. “The Texas Pharmacy Association is proud to endorse Gov. Perry for re-election and pledges to continue working with him to protect and broaden the high quality of care delivered by pharmacists and pharmacy technicians throughout Texas.”

Texas Pharmacy Association PAC

Abilene's Receptor Logic is an Example of Texas' Success

Wed, 01/27/2010 - 1:48pm – KOrr

Yesterday, Governor Perry highlighted the importance of strengthening our state’s education, maintaining a focus on job creation efforts, and upholding principles of fiscal responsibility as the keys to continuing Texas’ success. He spoke at Receptor Logic, a company working to develop therapies for cancer and infectious disease.

Abliene, TX "Success in Texas" Press Conference

View all the pictures from the press conference by visiting Rick Perry's Flickr page.

Another great way to see updates from the trail is by joining the nearly 3,000 people who follow @GovPerry2010 on Twitter.

Find the full Press Release here.

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Congrats to Senator-elect Scott Brown!

Tue, 01/19/2010 - 8:59pm – wfranklin

Governor Rick Perry issued a statement this evening on Republican Senator-elect Scott Brown's big win in Massachusetts:

“I want to congratulate Senator-elect Scott Brown on his historic victory in Massachusetts. His election, along with the election last November of Republican governors in Virginia and New Jersey, should send a loud and clear message that the states of this great nation will continue to reject the misguided policies coming out of Washington, D.C. The election of a 41st Republican to the U.S. Senate is especially significant to stop the ill-advised health care bill that will cost states billions of dollars. I fully support Senator-elect Brown’s pledge to stand with Republicans in Congress to stop this harmful piece of legislation.”

Check out http://twitter.com/GovernorPerry for tweets straight from Rick Perry himself, and http://twitter.com/GovPerry2010 for updates from the campaign.

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Statement From Texans For Rick Perry Spokesman Mark Miner

December 18, 2009

“For Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison to defend her vote to accelerate the health care debate by invoking our troops is dishonest and an insult to the 33 Republican senators who voted against limiting debate on the defense spending bill. Her vote to end the Republican filibuster was not the final vote on the defense spending bill, and it did not provide one dollar in funding for our troops. Furthermore, less than one hour before she voted with all 60 Democrat senators, Senator Hutchison herself stood on the floor of the United States Senate and said the timing of the vote was being driven by health care legislation. Her attempt to explain her vote to end the Republican filibuster by referencing our troops is disgraceful. The truth is that Senator Hutchison gave up her fight against health care legislation and is using our troops as a political prop to deflect criticism of her vote.”

Texas Registered Nurse and Advanced Practice Nurse PAC  Endorses Gov. Perry for Re-election

December 8, 2009

PAC Represents Support of Four Statewide Nursing Associations

AUSTIN – Gov. Perry today received the endorsement of the Texas Registered Nurse and Advanced Practice Nurse PAC (RN/APN PAC) which represents the political arm of four statewide nursing associations: Texas Nurses Association (TNA), Coalition for Nurses in Advanced Practice (CNAP), Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists (TANA) and Texas Nurse Practitioners (TNP).

“Gov. Perry’s solid record of supporting Texas nurses was a critical factor in our decision to endorse his re-election,” said Susan Sportsman, RN, TNA President. “During his tenure, more than $100 million has been dedicated to nursing education to address the critical shortage. In June 2009, Gov. Perry also signed the Hospital Safe Staffing Act, which has been vital to ensuring quality nursing care in hospitals. His proven support of the nursing profession clearly demonstrates his appreciation of the special role nurses play in ensuring quality healthcare for Texans.”

“Gov. Perry has a proven record of supporting the nursing profession and recognizes the essential role advanced practice nurses play in providing primary care and other essential healthcare services, “ said Joan Ross, a family nurse practitioner and chair of CNAP. “During his years in office, the governor has signed several pieces of legislation expanding prescriptive authority for advanced practice nurses, giving us better tools to provide safe, quality healthcare for all the people of Texas.”

The Texas Nurses Association seeks to promote excellence in nursing by helping nurses achieve quality patient care through high standards of practice, legislative involvement, and public policy advocacy. The mission of the Coalition for Nurses in Advance Practice is to create a legal and regulatory climate in which Texas Advanced Practice Nurses can use their full potential to improve the health and well-being of all Texans. The Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists works to advance the profession of nurse anesthesia, enhance the art and science of anesthesiology, and facilitate the provision of accessible, affordable, high quality healthcare. Texas Nurse Practitioners works to promote the professional excellence of nurse practitioners, and to support quality healthcare through leadership, education and advocacy.

“Nurses are a crucial component to our healthcare system, offering the care patients need in often critical situations and contributing invaluable insight in diagnosis and treatment,” said Gov. Perry. “I’m honored to receive the endorsement of the Texas Registered Nurse and Advanced Practice Nurse PAC and proud of the success we’ve accomplished together to address the nursing shortage in Texas. I look forward to continuing the work that Texas needs to strengthen its nursing profession and equip Texas nurses with the tools they need to provide exceptional care to all Texans.”

Texas Registered Nurse and Advanced Practice Nurse PAC (RN/APN PAC)

Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center Society Endorses Gov. Perry for Re-election

December 4, 2009

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today received the endorsement of the Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center Society PAC (TASCS PAC) for re-election in 2010.

“The Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center Society PAC strongly endorses Rick Perry for his efforts to achieve high-quality, cost-effective health care for all Texans,” said Chris Shoup, TASCS PAC Chairman. “Texas Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) are extremely grateful to Gov. Perry for his continued support of our industry, and Texas ASCs looks forward to Gov. Perry's continued leadership in 2010 and beyond.”

Texas has more than 380 ASCs performing more than 1.2 million surgeries and procedures each year with high-quality, high patient satisfaction and the lowest infection rates for surgical procedures. Texas ASCs provide these surgeries in the most cost-effective setting.

“I’m honored to receive the support of the Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center Society PAC and look forward to working with them and healthcare professionals across the state to effectively address the challenges our health care industry currently faces,” said Gov. Perry. “I’m proud of the innovative solutions Texas has brought to the table in light of the national healthcare debate and will continue working to make healthcare more affordable and available for all Texans.”

Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center Society PAC (TASCS PAC)

Gov. Perry on Health Care and Tort Reform

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