August 8, 2008
First, the Obama outreach:
Obama Texas State Director Juan Sepulveda joins State Rep. Norma Chávez, State Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, along with other Democratic elected officials, and supporters to start Obama’s El Paso Campaign
EVENT: Obama for America Campaign Kick-off and Press Conference
DATE: Saturday, August 9th, 2008
TIME: 12:04 PM
LOCATION: Father Martinez Pavilion at the Pavo Real Recreation Center, 9301 Alameda
EL PASO – This Saturday, August 9th, State Rep. Norma Chávez, State Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, County Commissioner-Elect Willie Gandara, Candidate for State House District 78 Joe Moody, Candidate for 448th District Court Regina Arditti, as well as other local elected officials and Democratic supporters will be joined by Obama for America, Texas State Director, Juan Sepulveda, for a press conference to kick-off the El Paso Obama for America Campaign with a targeted effort in the straight-ticket Democratic areas from Segundo Barrio to Socorro. Sepulveda, a native of San Antonio, was recently named Texas State Director for the Obama Campaign. Details of the Obama campaign effort here in El Paso will be revealed, including the volunteer effort that will support the campaign efforts in Southern New Mexico. New Mexico is a targeted state.
After the press conference, elected officials, Democratic supporters and volunteers will canvass and phone-bank heavily Democratic areas in El Paso County: Segundo Barrio, Delta-Ascarate, Pavo Real, Socorro and Anthony.Juan Sepulveda will be available for a question and answer session at the conclusion of the press conference.
For more information, call John Padalino (915) 781-4558.
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The Margo health platform (distributed to his supporters and found on his website):
Medical Malpractice Liability
Dee Margo believes that Texas should continue to protect its physicians and health care professionals from frivolous lawsuits, and he will file and support legislation that continues lawsuit reform, including annual evaluations of Texas’ medical malpractice liability insurance costs. By keeping costs under control and reducing frivolous lawsuits, more Texans will be covered by health insurance who would otherwise be uninsured.
Streamlining Physician and Health Care Licensing
Dee Margo will support legislation that eliminates bureaucratic delays in order to enable physicians and health care professionals that have existing credentials and/or are transferring their credentials to receive their professional licenses within a reasonable period of time.
Dental School at the Four-Year Texas Tech Medical School
Dee Margo believes Texas should support and fund a dental school at the Texas Tech Medical School in El Paso and enable the dental school to partner with the other institutions, such as the El Paso Community College, on the campus of the Medical Center of the Americas.
Medical Center of the Americas
Dee Margo will ensure Texas continues its investment in the Medical Center of the Americas (MCA). Dee believes we have to enable this campus, which is comprised of numerous facilities, to fully develop into the 21st century epicenter for health research, delivery of health services, health education, and economic development for not only the El Paso region, but for the entirety of the Americas. The MCA is currently comprised of, but not limited to: R.E. Thomason Hospital; Texas Tech Health Science Center-Four Year Medical School; Psychiatric Center; Office of the Medical Examiner and Forensic Laboratory; Texas Department of Human Services; West Texas Regional Poison Center; Maxine L. Silva Magnet High School of Health Care Professions; and El Paso City/County Health Administration.
Centers of Excellence at the Four-Year Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine
Dee Margo will make sure Texas continues its funding for the four-year medical school at Texas Tech’s El Paso campus, and enable the four-year medical school to establish centers of excellence for exponential expansion of the capital investment and the creation of jobs at the medical school’s campus. The medical school’s centers of excellence should focus on: research and expertise in Hispanic health care issues; a joint venture with William Beaumont Army Medical Center for advanced research and treatment of the Army’s service personnel and their dependents; and the establishment of globally competitive research facilities on infectious diseases and other diseases such as diabetes.
Hispanic Health Issues
Dee Margo will work to ensure that the Medical Center of the Americas receives adequate funding to be the leader in researching and addressing health issues particular to Hispanics. The MCA, as a center of excellence and innovation focused on Hispanic health issues, will create jobs, increase the capital investment in our community, and provide specialty health care for our region and beyond.
Community Partners
Dee Margo will support and help pass legislation that will encourage partnerships with the MCA and other regional institutions including: UTEP College of Health Sciences (School of Nursing) and Rehabilitation Sciences; El Paso Community College School of Nursing; VA Health Care System; University of Houston School of Public Health; Universidad Autónoma de Oaxaca, Facultad de Medicina; and New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Dee Margo will support legislation that will reduce barriers to CHIP and Medicaid enrollment, increase public outreach, and ensure that CHIP has greater transparency for taxpayers, legislators, and consumers. Furthermore, taxpayers must have the confidence that CHIP has instituted the highest financial controls to ensure that CHIP performs to the highest standards possible for the people it serves.
Affordable Health Insurance for Business
Dee Margo will work to help create a less regulated market, and expand waivers for insurance carriers to develop flexible health plans for small employers. Furthermore, Dee believes we need to continue amending the Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool and/or provide other opportunities to allow small employers to purchase health insurance through a pool.
Financial Aid Incentives for Students Enrolled in Health Care Programs at Texas Institutions of Higher Education
Dee Margo believes our state should create scholarships and work-study partnerships for students at public colleges and universities who obtain their degrees in medical professions and agree to work in historically underserved areas and populations of Texas for a specific period of time.
Economic Incentives for Health Care Industry
Dee Margo believes Texas should create a recruitment and retention program that would reduce interest rates for student loans for health care professionals who relocate and invest a specific period of time in historically underserved areas of the state.