FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2000
CONTACT: Lisette McSoud Mondello
KEY SENATE PANEL APPROVES $2 MILLION
FOR EL PASO'S BORDER HEALTH COMMISSION
- Senator Hutchison's Successful Request is 33% Increase Over Last Year -
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Senate Appropriations Committee today approved Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison's request to provide $2 million in funding next year for the Border Health Commission, to be located in El Paso. The panel's move is a one-third increase over this year's $1.5 million funding level.
Since 1994, Senator Hutchison has been the driving force behind the creation of the Border Health Commission. This year, Senator Hutchison and Rep. Silvestre Reyes (16th) worked together to successfully convince the commission to locate its headquarters in El Paso.
"No Texan should be sick today just because they live near the border," said Senator Hutchison. "A 21st century Texas can - and must - do better and the Border Health Commission is going to make that happen."
The U.S.- Mexico border area has one of the highest rates of hepatitis infection in the nation. In addition, the region's alarming tuberculosis rate is three times the national average. "Texas is on the front-line of a battle to halt the spread of these diseases before they threaten people throughout our state and nation," the Senator said.
Acting on Senator Hutchison's request, the Senate Appropriations Committee today approved the Border Health Commission funds, contained in the fiscal 2001 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill.
Senator Hutchison recently announced her intention to introduce a new bill this year that will create border health research offices at two federal agencies, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Senator Hutchison serves on Senate Appropriations that funds the commission and other important state and national programs.
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