THA Honors Sen. Duncan for Contributions to Health Care

LUBBOCK (March 27, 2008) – State Sen. Robert Duncan (R-Lubbock) was honored with the Texas Hospital Advocacy Tribute award at a special March 27 presentation before the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce. Texas Hospital Association Senior Vice President John Hawkins presented the award to Sen. Duncan in recognition of his legislative accomplishments on behalf of health care during the 80th Texas Legislature last year. 

“Sen. Duncan consistently demonstrates his commitment to finding solutions to health care issues affecting all Texans, and the most recent legislative session proved to be no exception,” said Hawkins. “He was instrumental on issues related to Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, the uninsured, higher education, workers’ compensation and tort reform.”

Hawkins also noted that Duncan sponsored legislation giving consumers a better understanding of hospital costs and the quality of care patients receive. 

“Sen. Duncan made sure lawmakers placed appropriate responsibilities on health care facilities, physicians and health plans to be more responsive to consumer needs,” Hawkins said. “This legislation is a comprehensive first step to empowering consumers, employers and state government to be better purchasers of health insurance and ultimately health care services.”

Duncan is chair of the Senate State Affairs Committee and is a member of the Finance, Natural Resources and Jurisprudence committees. He also is a member of the Medicaid Reform Legislative Oversight Committee.

THA created the Texas Hospital Advocacy Tribute award in 1997 to honor state legislators and other public officials who demonstrate leadership on issues important to hospitals and health systems. Duncan is one of nine recipients chosen from the 2007 legislative session.

Founded in 1930, the Texas Hospital Association is the leadership organization and principal advocate for the state’s hospitals and health care systems. Based in Austin, THA enhances its members’ abilities to improve accessibility, quality and cost-effectiveness of health care for all Texans. One of the largest hospital associations in the country, THA represents more than 85 percent of the state’s hospitals and health care systems, which employ some 340,000 health care professionals statewide.