Public Information Office
210 S. McDonald St. Suite 636
McKinney, TX 75069
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
| CONTACT: | Leigh Hornsby, Public Information Officer 972-548-4772 lhornsby@co.collin.tx.us |
February 22, 2005
Collin County Commissioners Court creates a task force to research indigent care
(McKinney, TX) – The Collin County Commissioners Court has created a Task Force on Indigent Health Care to research this issue at a state, regional and countywide level.
“We believe it is best for our residents to come together to propose measures on how the county should proceed when managing indigent health care,” says Collin County Commissioner Phyllis Cole.
Each Commissioners Court member appointed three persons to the task force. Members of the Collin County Health Care Advisory board will also serve on the committee, for a total number of 25 participants.
The task force will be facilitated by the University of Texas at Dallas. A group of professors, graduate students and researchers will provide the task force with analysis of health care needs, legal and organizational issues, as well as economic issues.
“These researchers bring to the table a wealth of experience,” says Collin County Commissioner Jerry Hoagland. “They will not only provide research, but they will also conduct public hearings on policy options.”
“After much thought, we believe the creation of this task force is the right move for the county,” says Collin County Commissioner Jack Hatchell. “It is important for us to learn more about our community’s perspective on this situation.”
The full task force will meet quarterly, while five task force subcommittees will meet frequently over the next year.
“Within 16 months, we will receive a task force report and hope to hear alternatives on how the county should proceed when managing care for our indigent persons,” says Collin County Judge Ron Harris. “This will include a review of regional care options related to trauma facilities.”
“Our task force members have a tough job ahead of them,” says Collin County Commissioner Joe Jaynes. “Their proposals will lay the groundwork for how our county will manage indigent care in the future. They will also have a very broad scope and could make recommendations ranging from doing nothing to the creation of a hospital taxing district.”
The introductory task force meeting is scheduled for tonight at 7 p.m. in
the Annex B Central Jury Room, 210 S. McDonald Street in McKinney.
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