Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

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BORDER AFFAIRS
77 th Texas Legislature
Authorizes the Texas Transportation Commission to determine what constitutes a border colonia for
purposes of selecting the counties and projects that may receive assistance.
Border Economic and Enterprise Development Center - H.B. 323
by Representatives Oliveira and Solis
Senate Sponsor: Senator Lucio
Requires the board of regents of The University of Texas to establish a center for border economic and
enterprise development at The University of Texas at Brownsville to develop and manage an economic
database, perform economic development planning and research, provide technical assistance to industry
and governmental agencies, and cooperate with other state agencies in this area.
Dental Health for Children on the Texas-Mexico Border - H.B. 2614
by Representative Jim Solis, et al.
Senate Sponsor: Senator Lucio
The Senate Subcommittee on Border Affairs studied dental health as a part of a broader charge to find
ways to improve the overall condition of health along the border. Only 26 percent of children eligible for
Medicaid received dental screenings in 1996, and the estimate was lower for those in rural areas.
Establishes a dental care pilot program in the border region to serve indigent individuals
Border Services Provided Through Telemedicine - H.B. 2700
by Representative Chavez, et al.
Senate Sponsor: Senator Duncan
Texas faces unique challenges within its health care system. Texas has experienced a large population
increase in the last decade, including an increase in the Hispanic population. Rural border areas are often
medically underserved and tend to have lower Medicaid reimbursement rates.
Requires the Health and Human Services Commission to establish telemedicine pilot programs in medically
underserved areas to enhance health care services and provides for reimbursement and regulation of
telemedicine services.
Senate Research Center 27