The Collin County Observer

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DMN Editorial: Laubenberg's new assignment

08/10/08

Permalink 04:30:23 pm, by bill Email , 332 words,   English (US)
Categories: News Clippings, Indigent Healthcare, State of Texas

DMN Editorial: Laubenberg's new assignment

Editorial: Laubenberg's new assignment

Sunday, August 10, 2008
The Dallas Morning News Editorial Board

State Rep. Jodie Laubenberg has reflected the political philosophy of her high-wealth, high-growth Collin-Rockwall County district during three terms in the Texas House. Her voting record last session earned her a 96 percent approval rating from the conservative Heritage Alliance, the highest score among 150 state representatives.

But Ms. Laubenberg has just been assigned a new constituency – the entire state of Texas. Speaker Tom Craddick last week promoted her from vice chair to chair of the House Public Health Committee, a job that broadens her responsibilities.

Ms. Laubenberg must adjust if she is to effectively mold public policy for a state with chronically high levels of poverty and children without health insurance.

In a column published in this newspaper last year, Ms. Laubenberg accused Dallas' Parkland Hospital of having an "insatiable appetite for more taxpayer dollars" and a goal of "socialized medicine."

Parkland, in fact, is not the enemy. It is the foundational public health provider for much of the region and often struggles financially to fulfill its mandate. If anything, the Legislature must find a way to ensure that surrounding counties pay a fair share when their residents receive treatment at Parkland. Another Republican committee member, Jim Jackson of Dallas, advocates that kind of regional approach; if Ms. Laubenberg keeps the chair next year, she should help him shape that concept.

For her part, Ms. Laubenberg tells us she knows her new role requires openness to all viewpoints, and she pledges that approach – a positive sign.

Another lawmaker from North Texas, Lewisville Republican Jane Nelson, has shown it is possible to stick to conservative principles while molding compassionate health policy. As chairwoman of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, Ms. Nelson has developed into a reformer with a grasp of the complexity of health law and finance.

The job takes zeal for the subject matter and the willingness to govern with the interests of more than 24 million Texans in mind.

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The Collin County Observer

It is my hope that this forum will serve as an acute observer of Collin County government, leading to the return of the county to those it is supposed to serve.

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