From the Senator's Desk...
September 1, 2005
Senator Shapleigh's notes and observations will keep you updated on what is happening behind the scenes in Austin and El Paso.
Written by Senator Shapleigh, www.shapleigh.org
On the Senator's Desk:
Last Thursday the Senator had a visit from Austin reporter, Janet Heimlich of the Texas State Network. Janet was in El Paso developing a documentary for National Public Radio (NPR) on Border Health Issues. According to Janet, her interview with Senator Shapleigh was, "wonderful as usual". The Senator was able to share his views on the healthcare crisis that continues to evolve on the Border. Texas borderlands are essentially "Ground Zero" in relation to other parts of the state. The Border has a higher incidence of many health problems and unfairly, fewer resources for prevention and treatment. In his hour long interview, Senator Shapleigh was able to discuss many facets of the inequities of resources and the healthcare crisis among our Border region including the problems with the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Due to inadequate outreach efforts and the new 6-month requirement attached to re-enrollment, those who might qualify are not getting insured.
The Senator also put Janet in contact with a young El Paso mother enrolled in the CHIP program, and as luck would have it Janet was able to accompany this woman and her children to a doctor's visit. Janet was then able to document first hand what that experience is like from a mother's view as well as the physician's perspective. National exposure to life on the Border can only help fuel an awareness to our Border realities.
Stay tuned for a projected airing date on the NPR piece!
Those who visited:
El Pasoan Leslie Luciano has been working with Senator Shapleigh's Capitol Office for the past week and will continue through September. Ms. Luciano, who lived in El Paso for years, and whose daughter is still here, is helping organize the Office's communications system. She is helping update the website and the E-News distribution process. If you have any comments on the website or newsletter, please contact Leslie at leslie.luciano@senate.state.tx.us.
Upcoming Events:
On September 2-3, Senator Shapleigh and Senator Jeffrey Jones of Chihuahua, Mexico will co-host a Border Legislative Conference Regional Economic Development Forum in Austin. The Forum will bring together local, state, and federal leaders from both sides of the border to discuss how to develop a more efficient and vibrant border region. Anyone interested in attending the Forum please contact Katherine Saunders at (800) 544-1990 or via email at Katherine.saunders@senate.state.tx.us.
