THA Honors Rep. Delisi for Contributions to Health Care

TEMPLE (March 20, 2008) – State Rep. Dianne White Delisi (R-Temple) received the Texas Hospital Advocacy Tribute award at the Temple Rotary Club’s March 20 luncheon. Texas Hospital Association President/CEO Dan Stultz, M.D., FACP, FACHE, presented the award to Rep. Delisi in recognition of her legislative accomplishments on behalf of health care during the 80th Texas Legislature last year. 

“As chair of the House Public Health Committee, Rep. Delisi leads one of the most committed and hard-working groups in the Legislature – and she leads by example,” Stultz said. He noted that Delisi authored groundbreaking hospital infection-reporting legislation, which passed through the House without objection and ultimately became law. She also worked to ensure that important Medicaid reforms and health care information technology legislation were passed.

“Never one to shy away from challenging issues, she also tirelessly fought to improve the state law designed to resolve end-of-life disputes,” Stultz said. Delisi sought consensus from disparate groups on the emotionally charged issue, making sure that appropriate medical care for the terminally ill, rather than political agendas, drive public policy on end-of-life care. Though the bill failed to pass after the longest-running hearing of the 2007 session, Stultz noted that it was not because of Rep. Delisi’s lack of driving spirit.

“This is the third consecutive award that the Texas Hospital Association has presented to Rep. Delisi, proving that she is undeniably a true and tireless advocate for Texas health care,” he said.

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. Rep. Delisi is one of nine recipients chosen from the 2007 legislative session. She also received THA’s award in 2003 and 2005.

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.