AUSTIN - Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa has been honored by the Texas Medical Association (TMA) with their highest award, the "Patient Protection Award," for his support of Texas patients and their physicians, and for his passion and commitment to issues related to quality patient care during the 83rd Legislative Session.

Senator Hinojosa expressed his appreciation and remarked on the importance of working together to meet Texas's growing healthcare needs:

"Receiving this award is a tremendous honor and I thank TMA for the recognition. This session I fought hard for significant investments to improve healthcare in our communities and will continue to support measures to decrease our physician shortages, to increase access to healthcare services, and to provide more resources to serve our Texas families.

The significant challenges facing lawmakers today in healthcare policy require partnerships - to identify and solve the critical hurdles in providing quality care. That TMA recognizes my contributions speaks more to their ability to partner with lawmakers and work effectively and collaboratively on behalf of physicians and their patients."

Jerry Hunsaker, MD, board chair of TEXPAC, TMA's political action committee, remarked on Senator Hinojosa's distinction:

"Senator Hinojosa heard physicians' plea to reduce red tape and administrative hassles in Texas Medicaid and he worked hard to improve the system for our patients. He sponsored legislation requiring the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to implement a "provider protection plan," which requires Medicaid HMO health plans to pay patient claims promptly and correctly.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Hinojosa played a key role in balancing the state budget while maintaining important health care services for women and children, and to improve the state's mental health services. It is his continued work as a patient champion that earned TMA's Patient Protection Award."

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