HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 84-262 R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the identification, development and
implementation of a mechanism to ensure delivery of appropriate
coordinated health care services to the indigent is an issue being
struggled with throughout the State of Texas; and,
WHEREAS, indigent health care services in Jefferson
County are fragmented and, except for specific categorical
services, almost non-existent; and,
WHEREAS, there is no charity hospital in Jefferson
County; and,
WHEREAS, the indigent of Jefferson County are almost
totally reliant upon John Sealy Hospital, University of Texas
Medical Branch at Galveston, for inpatient medical care, except in
the event of life threatening medical emergencies which are managed
by local health care providers as charity cases; and,
WHEREAS, management of charity cases by local health care
providers results in increased medical costs, either directly or
indirectly , for the non-indigent; and,
WHEREAS, the travel time necessary for the indigent to
access inpatient medical care at John Sealy Hospital in Galveston
increases the potential for complication or morbidity; and,
WHEREAS, John Sealy Hospital in Galveston is a teaching
hospital and not established as a charity hospital by the State of
Texas; and,
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WHEREAS, John Sealy Hospital in Galveston frequently
operates in excess of 100% of capacity; and,
WHEREAS, local health providers and other concerned
citizens of Jefferson County cognizant of the unmet indigent health
care needs because of inadequate resources organized the Jefferson
County Indigent Health Care Steering Committee comprised of
representatives from the health care community , both public and
private, prof it and nonprofit, representatives of local government,
and citizen representation to study this issue in Jefferson County
more than one and one half ( 1 1/2 ) years ago; and,
WHEREAS, the Governor of Texas and the Texas Legislature
approximately one ( 1 ) year ago appointed a Special Task Foprce for
Indigent Health Care to identify and implement mechanisms to ensure
the delivery of appropriate coordinated health care services to the
indigent as pilot efforts in the State; and,
WHEREAS, the Jefferson County Indigent Health Care
Steering Committee' s efforts locally have resulted in increased
community awareness regarding unmet indigent health care needs and
facilitated coordination and enhancement of existing indigent
health care services; and,
WHEREAS, the Jefferson County Indigent Health Care
Steering Committee has developed proposals to provide mechanisms to
ensure delivery of appropriate coordinated health care services to
the indigent of jefferson County; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Beaumont recognizes the unmet health
care needs of its indigent citizens, the efforts of the Jefferson
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County Indigent Health Care Steering Committee, and the efforts of
the Special Task Force for Indigent Health Care;
NOW , THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT:
THAT the City of Beaumont calls for the creation of a Jefferson
County Task Force for Indigent Health Care to work concurrently
with the Jefferson County Indigent Health Care Steering Committee
for the purpose of identifying, developing and implementing the
mechanism best suited to ensure the delivery of appropriate
coordinated health care to the indigent of Jefferson County; and,
That the cities of Port Arthur, Nederland, Port Neches,
and Groves, and Jefferson County be called upon to likewise call
for the creation of a Jefferson County Task Force for Indigent
Health Care; and,
That said Task Force shall consist of two ( 2 ) elected
representatives duly appointed by the City Council of the City of
Beaumont and each of the aforementioned governmental entities;
and,
That the Jefferson. County Indigent Health Care Steering
Committee and the Jefferson County Indigent Health Care Task Force,
upon its creation, be charged and directed to do any and all things
necessary to bring the establishment of a mechanism to ensure the
delivery of appropriate coordinated health care services to the
indigent of Jefferson County to a successful conclusion; and,
That the City Council of the City of Beaumont hereby
appoints and
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to serve as its officially
designated representatives to the Jefferson County Task Force for
Indigent Health Care; and,
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont this
the day of 1984.
f
Mayor -
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