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AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today accepted the endorsement of TEXPAC, the political arm of the Texas Medical Association, for re-election in 2010.
“It is an honor to be here today with the good people of the Texas Medical Association and a humbling experience to gain your endorsement of my candidacy,” said Gov. Rick Perry. “I am grateful for the care you provide our citizens every day in the fulfillment of your life’s calling, and I accept your endorsement as an affirmation of my record, an encouragement to keep working and a challenge to stay on point.”
Upon accepting the endorsement, Gov. Perry noted the importance of lawsuit reform when considering proposed health care legislation in Washington, citing the benefits such reforms have brought to Texas. Since Texas implemented lawsuit reforms in 2003, the number of doctors applying to practice in Texas has increased 57 percent and 14,498 doctors either returned to practice in Texas or began practicing here for the first time. This increase has brought critical specialties to underserved areas of the state including 27 percent more obstetricians practicing in rural Texas and 200 new doctors in the Rio Grande Valley. Ten new insurance carriers have also entered the Texas market, contributing to a 27 percent decrease in doctors’ insurance rates.
“We thank Governor Perry for his leadership and look forward to continuing to work with him shoulder to shoulder to improve the health of all Texans,” said TMA President William H. Fleming III, MD, speaking on behalf of TEXPAC. “We are excited about working with him through the 2010 election and the 82nd Texas Legislature. The TEXPAC Board endorsed Governor Perry because of his unwavering support and defense of Texas’ medical liability reforms and his efforts to protect the sacred patient-physician bond. We appreciate his guidance to ensure prompt payment by health insurance companies and his strong support to provide physicians meaningful and real opportunities to serve in rural and underserved areas.”
TEXPAC speaks on behalf of nearly 44,000 Texas physicians and medical students, and nearly 8,000 alliance members. Organized in 1962, TEXPAC is one of the oldest political action committees in Texas. TEXPAC also is one of the largest bipartisan PACs in the state and ranks first in size among other state medical association PACs.
TMA TEXPAC joins the Texas Municipal Police Association, Texas Chemical Council, Texas Society of Professional Engineers, RNC Committeewoman Cathie Adams, Texas Right to Life, Houston Realty Business Coalition, Texas Apartment Association, Texas Republican County Chairman Association President Linda Rogers, Heidi Group Founder Carol Everett, Texas Alliance for Life, Texas Department of Public Safety Officers Association PAC, Texas Home School Coalition PAC, Texans for Life Coalition President Kyleen Wright, Conservative Republicans of Texas President Dr. Steve Hotze, Free Market Foundation President Kelly Shackelford, Texas Chiropractic Association, Americans for Prosperity* State Director Peggy Venable, the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters, Texas Association of Realtors, Texas Civil Justice League PAC, Texas Oil Gas Association President Rob Looney, Concerned Women for America State Director Ann Hettinger, Texas Optometric Association PAC, Texas Pest Control Association, energy entrepreneur T. Boone Pickens, Texas Recreational Vehicle Association, Texas Poultry Federation, Justice at the Gate Founder Alice Patterson, Texas Cattle Feeders Beef-PAC, Eagle Forum Founder Phyllis Schlafly, Texas Pharmacy Business Council, Texas Podiatric Medical Association, Texas Association for Interior Design, former Texas Republican Party Chairman Susan Weddington, former U.S. Secretary of Education Bill Bennett, Family Research Council Action PAC Chairman Tony Perkins, WallBuilders President and Founder David Barton, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour and the Texas Association of Builders HOMEPAC in their endorsement of Gov. Perry.
*Organization listed for identification purposes only, Americans for Prosperity itself does not endorse candidates.
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