The Baumbach Campaign for Collin County Commissioner, Pct. 2
Contact: Bill Baumbach
Cell: 972.979.6449
bill@baumbach.org
Statement by Bill Baumbach on the Collin County Indigent Health Care Task Force
report and public hearing -
"After the conclusion of last night's public hearing on the Health Care Task Force report, I walked away feeling proud to be a citizen of Collin County.
"The Task Force exhaustively analyzed the current state of our health care system and came to the unanimous conclusion that more help was needed to protect the public health of our community.
In calling for an increase in the grants to nonprofit clinics, the Task Force's proposal effectively leverages a very small part of the county budget into an effective mechanism to positively impact a large segment of our population.
"I was struck by the courageous stand the Task Force members took in their recommendations, and by the bi-partisan support for the proposal by those in attendance. Leaders in both political parties stood united in their belief that we could, and we should, expand the safety net so much needed by our less fortunate neighbors.
"While some tried to deflect the issue from the need for health care to a fear of its possible exploitation by illegal immigrants, a large majority of the elected officials and the audience expressed support for the Task Force proposal. I add my voice to theirs.
"The proposal is conservative, responsible and compassionate. I support the report, and I call on our elected county commissioners to do the right thing and implement the Task Force's recommendations in next year's budget.
"We here in Collin County are seeing how an important issue, when handled with wisdom and responsibility, can generate broad-based support that crosses political, ethnic and partisan lines.
"The time is now - we must put the Task Force proposals into action."
Bill Baumbach
Democrat for Collin County Commissioner, Pct. 2
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