Posted 1:53 am Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Dewhurst Touts Biomedical Center's Economic Impact
By COSHANDRA DILLARD
Staff Writer
Hospital officials and researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler (UTHSCT) welcomed Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who toured the center's biomedical research facilities and highlighted the positive impact the center has on economic development and job creation in the area.
Staff Writer
Hospital officials and researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler (UTHSCT) welcomed Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who toured the center's biomedical research facilities and highlighted the positive impact the center has on economic development and job creation in the area.
Between 2005 and 2009, UTHSCT was awarded nearly $70 million in research funding, including funds from the National Institutes of Health.
In 2009, UTHSCT was awarded 80 grants and contracts totaling nearly $15 million, a 10 percent increase from 2008. Officials say this created an economic impact of $33.5 million.
Dewhurst lauded Dr. Steven Idell, vice president for research, and the biomedical research department for its cutting edge study, including a $7.8 million project that places protein in the lungs to reverse scarring.
"They've been able to do cutting edge research and creating more jobs and hopefully one of these days, after the clinical trials are done, from this effort, you're going to see businesses being developed, jobs created. Not only is that $70 million research important, it helps in patient care and physician education," Dewhurst said.
He also attributed the center's growth to UTHSCT President Dr. Kirk Calhoun.
"I've been impressed with Dr. Calhoun ever since I first met him back in 2003. What an infectious enthusiasm he has for UT Health Science Center - Tyler. And what a great job he has done over the last seven years, taking this facility and turning it into a world-class facility."
Federal research funding, Dewhurst said, helps support teaching medical institutions' mission of educating physicians. The residency program at UTHSCT has 21 residents in the family medicine program and three in its occupational medicine program.
Dewhurst said the support for UTHSCT will continue, as he recognized state Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, as one of the strongest advocates for the center and northeast Texas.
"The reason that academic building is going up over there is because Gov. Dewhurst insisted that the $21 million in bonds be put in the budget during that year," Eltife said, referring to the $67 million academic center expansion currently under way.
Eltife also praised researchers and credited the department as being an "economic engine for this entire area."
"You're kind of a hidden treasure," he told employees.
SHORTAGES
Dewhurst addressed Texas' shortage of doctors and nurses. He said by 2025, Texas will need an additional 40,000 doctors as the population continues to grow. Texas also will need an additional 22,000 nurses. That number could grow to 70,000 if nothing is done in this decade, he said.
Last year, the Senate Finance Committee appropriated $49.7 million for the state's Professional Nursing Shortage Reduction Program, an increase of $35 million from the 2008-2009 fiscal year.
Dewhurst pointed out that while the state faces a shortage of doctors, tort reform in 2003 actually brought more doctors to Texas.
"In 2003 we saw a crisis that was brewing. We saw a net exodus of doctors in Texas. Medical malpractice rates were shooting through the ceiling, frivolous lawsuits. We addressed this problem, I think, with one of the model forms of tort reform in the country. Since Sept. 1, 2003, we've had over 17,000 new doctors licensed and practicing in Texas."
Dr. Calhoun thanked Dewhurst for putting those measures in place, as it brought savings to the center.
"Our faculty practice plan probably saved somewhere in the area of $250,000 to $300,000 a year because of tort reform. That savings goes in to support research activities and other kind of activities on our campus," Dr. Calhoun said.
ADDRESSING THE SHORTFALL
Last month, Dewhurst, Gov. Rick Perry and House Speaker Joe Straus told state agencies, including higher education institutions, to submit budget-reductions because of a projected shortfall next year. Authorities have said the shortfall could range from $10 to $16 billion. The deadline for state agencies to submit those proposed budgets was Monday.
As part of the UT System, about one-third of UTHSCT's revenue comes from state funding. But Dewhurst said the center, and others like it, may not be affected by the proposed cuts.
"We're going to have enough tools in our toolbox to balance our budget," he said. "… We're not going to cut any essential services. At the end of the day, I don't think we will be affecting the mission of these agencies."
Dewhurst said the reason he, along with Perry and Straus, recommended the cuts was to be proactive, and 5 percent is only a recommendation.
"I was focused on the 2013 session. I wanted to start now in 2010 and save some money over the next four years so that we would be able to have a balanced budget in 2011, like we did in 2009. In 2007 we saved $9 billion dollars. That's what enabled us in Texas last January to be one the six states in the black instead of one of the 44 states in the red."
Pointing to proposed health care legislation in Congress right now, he said the state also wants to prepare for taking on an expansion of health care, which he says would cost the state $2 to $2.5 billion each year.
"We're fortunate that at least we started this process, so that if the health care bill passes we'll almost have to double the amount of state money put into our budget each year to provide for this additional care."
Dewhurst saidthat in the next several months, state officials will review budget recommendations from state agencies.
