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BCMS LEGISLATIVE
14th Annual Border Health
Conference held in Laredo
By Mary E. Nava, MBA, BCMS Chief Government Affairs Officer
On August 22, members of the Texas Medical Association (TMA) leadership and leaders of the border Health Caucus (bHC), of which
bCMS is a member, hosted their 14th annual conference at la Posada Hotel in laredo. A pre-conference welcome reception was hosted
on the evening of August 21 at the hotel and attendees heard remarks from luis benavides, Md, chair of the border Health Caucus and
Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-district 28) and honorary conference chairman, who welcomed attendees to laredo.
Approximately, 150 conference attendees participated in the day-long conference. Numerous topics were discussed during the conference
in a 3-part panel discussion, covering the areas of Access to Care, Public Health on the border and Cross border Health Care Issues.
Among the many important topics discussed were: access to care concerns, women’s health, maternal and newborn care, preventative care,
the uninsured, Medicaid, public health concerns and infectious disease threats. On the discussion of cross border issues, public health
officials from both sides of the border stressed the importance of continued collaboration to improve surveillance and the timely reporting
of infectious disease cases.
The border Health Conference was led by luis benavides, Md and luis Urrea, Md, chair and vice-chair, respectively, of the bHC. Mis-
tress of ceremonies was TMA board of Trustees Chair, E. linda villarrreal, Md and remarks were provided by TMA President david
Fleeger, Md and immediate past president, doug Curran, Md. Representing bCMS were: John Nava, Md and Mary Nava, bCMS chief
government affairs officer.
For local discussion on this and other legislative advocacy topics, consider joining the BCMS Legislative and Socioeconomics
Committee by contacting Mary Nava at mary.nava@bcms.org.
On Aug. 21 during the Border Health Conference welcome reception held at La TMA President, David Fleeger, MD provides
Posada Hotel in Laredo, Luis Benavides, MD (far left) introduces honorary conference welcome remarks to attendees of the Border
chairman, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-District 28), (in dark suit), who provided Health Conference held on Aug. 22 at La
welcome remarks to attendees. Posada Hotel in Laredo.
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