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Family Violence Task Force host “Purple Day”
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Texas Teens to be Trained on Police Interactions
New Law Seeks to Prevent Surprise Medical Bills from Freestanding ERs
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South Texas ISD Ranked Tops In State VOL. I, NO. 9
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2017
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STISD teacher James “Jim” Konecny works with students in the class room.
South Texas ISD is ranked as the top public school district in Texas and sixth in the nation, according to a website that relies on U. S. Department of Education data. Niche.com released its 2018 public school district rankings last month. The recently released list put the South Texas Independent School District (STISD) as the number one public school district in Texas. At the district level, STISD was ranked 6th out of 10,574 in the nation in the Best School Districts in America, and it received an A+ overall Niche grade. The district also ranked 1st out of 981 in the 2018 Best Places to
Teach in Texas and 1st out of 984 in the 2018 Districts with the Best Teachers in Texas. The website provides detailed analysis for each district. In Hidalgo County, the website provided rankings for 17 school districts. Charter schools are ranked separately from school districts. As the graph indicates, the districts received overall letter grades and then letter grades in several areas. Also, for the fourth year in a row, all five of the STISD established campuses were ranked among the best in the state and nation in the 2018 Niche K-12 Schools lists, which grade and rank schools and districts based
upon criteria ranging from academics to culture and teachers. This year, South Texas Preparatory Academy (STPA) in Edinburg ranked 7th in the state out of 1,986, and 41st in the nation out of 23,000 in the Best Public Middle Schools list, and the campus received an A+ overall Niche grade. All four STISD high schools ranked among the top in the state and nation in the 2018 Best Public High Schools lists. The Science Academy of South Texas (Science Academy) in Mercedes ranked 9th in the state (out of 1,523) and 121st in the nation (out of 17,867) and received an A+ overall grade. South Texas
RGVTIMES.COM
Overall Academics Teachers College Prep
STISD
A+
A+
A+
A+
Sharyland ISD
A
A-
A
B
Edinburg CISD
A-
A-
A
B
Vanguard Academy A-
A-
A-
B
McAllen ISD
B+
A-
B
A-
PSJA ISD
B+
B
A
C+
Weslaco ISD
B+
B
A-
C+
La Villa ISD
B
B
B+
C+
Mercedes ISD
B
B-
A
C
Valley View ISD
B-
A-
B-
B
Mission CISD
B-
B
A-
C
La Joya ISD
B-
B
B+
C
Progreso ISD
B
B-
A-
C
Hidalgo ISD
B-
B
B
C
Donna ISD
B-
B-
A-
C
Monte Alto ISD
C+
C+
B+
D+
EEISD
C
B-
B
C-
* Source: Niche.com
High School for Health Professions (Med High) in Mercedes ranked 49th in the state and received an A+, while South Texas Academy for Medical Professions (Medical Academy) in Olmito ranked 103rd in the state and received an A, and South Texas Business, Education & Technology Academy (BETA) in Edinburg ranked 109th and received an A. The individual rankings are based on academics, teacher quality, college preparation, culture and diversity, parent/ student surveys on overall expe-
rience, health & safety, resources & facilities, clubs & activities, and sports. Academics account for 50% of the rankings while teacher quality accounts for 15%. Parent/student surveys account for 10% of the weight. Niche.com said it put out its 2018 rankings based on student life data from the U.S Department of Education, along with test scores, college data and ratings collected from Niche users. The website also provided rankings for other school districts in South Texas.
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Wednesday, September 27, 2017
OPINION
WWW.RGVTIMES.COM
The devolution of repeal-and-replace
By EUGENE ROBINSON Motivated by the cynical aims of fulfilling a bumper-sticker campaign promise and lavishing tax cuts on the wealthy, Republicans are threatening to pass a health care bill they know will make millions of Americans sicker and poorer. Do they think we don’t see what they’re doing?
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Does Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, think we didn’t hear what he said Wednesday? “You know, I could maybe give you 10 reasons why this bill shouldn’t be considered,” he told reporters. “But Republicans campaigned on this so often that you have a responsibility to carry out what you said in the campaign. That’s pretty much as much of a reason as the substance of the bill.” There you have it: Who cares what this legislation would do? Vote for it anyway. The GOP’s efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act have undergone a process of devolution, with each new bill worse than the last. The measure that the Senate plans to vote on next week essentially takes away most of the protections, benefits and funding of the ACA, but leaves in place most of the taxes. That’s supposed to be good politics? Seriously? In his desperate haste, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has decided not to wait for the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office to analyze the bill before bringing it to the Senate floor. The CBO estimated that July’s Better Care Reconciliation Act, which would have repealed the ACA with a vague promise to replace it later, would have caused 32 million people to lose health insurance coverage. Some outside experts fear the impact of this new bill could be even worse. I should acknowledge that the measure -- sponsored by Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Bill Cassidy, R-La., Dean Heller, R-Nev., and Ron Johnson, R-Wisc. -- would do one popular thing: Eliminate the requirement that individuals purchase health insurance or pay a fine. But the list of things that people surely won’t like is staggering. Perhaps chief among them is that the bill eliminates the ACA’s guarantee of affordable health insurance for people with pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or cancer. State officials would be able to let insurers charge whatever they wanted to the infirm and the elderly -- and also could let insurers reinstitute lifetime caps on coverage.
In practice, this means that the old and the sick could be priced out of the insurance market. And it means that those who are insured but have expensive ailments could see their coverage expire after a certain dollar amount had been paid in benefits. At first glance, this looks like a gigantic gift to the insurance industry. But the powerful lobbying group America’s Health Insurance Plans came out strongly against the bill Wednesday, saying it “would have real consequences on consumers and patients by further
administered by the states. GOP rhetoric about federalism and local control is smoke designed to obscure the real goal, which is to dramatically slash the federal contribution toward Medicaid. In the short term, billions of health care dollars would effectively be transferred from states that participated in Medicaid expansion, such as California, to states that did not, such as Texas. In the long term, however, all states would suffer from inadequate federal funding of Medicaid, which is the primary payer for about two-thirds
Slashing Medicaid spending would make room for huge tax cuts that primarily benefit the rich. Yes, senators, we see that, too. destabilizing the individual market.” The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association opposes the measure as well, saying it would “increase uncertainty in the marketplace, making coverage more expensive and jeopardizing Americans’ choice of health plans.” The American Medical Association, the American Hospital Association and AARP adamantly oppose the new Senate bill as well. In fact, it is hard to find anyone who knows anything about health insurance who likes this monstrous creation. And I haven’t even mentioned the worst thing about the bill: It revokes the ACA’s expansion of the Medicaid program, which provided health coverage for millions of the working poor, and turns Medicaid into an underfunded block-grant program to be
of nursing-home residents nationwide. There is a rational motive for all of this, although it’s a nefarious one that the GOP doesn’t like to talk about: Slashing Medicaid spending would make room for huge tax cuts that primarily benefit the rich. Yes, senators, we see that, too. It is tempting to let the Republican Party drive itself, Thelma-and-Louise style, off this cliff. But the human impact of the latest repeal-and-replace measure would be too tragic. Call your senator. Make a deafening noise. We must do everything we can to kill this bill. Eugene Robinson’s email address is eugenerobinson@washpost.com. (c) 2017, Washington Post Writers Group
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
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Julián Castro to open annual UTRGV Distinguished Speaker Series on Sept. 27 With a goal to inspire today’s young people into public service, Julián Castro will serve as the first guest speaker for The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s annual Distinguished Speaker Series. Born and raised in San Antonio, Castro launched his public service career in 2001, becoming San Antonio’s youngest councilman. He was elected mayor in 2009 and re-elected in 2011 and again in 2013. His identical twin brother, Joaquin Castro, currently represents the 20th Congressional District of Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives. Castro launched into the national arena with his keynote address – the first by a Latino – at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. In 2014, he was President Barack Obama’s nomination as U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and, upon confirmation, served in that role until 2017. Most recently, he joined The University of Texas LBJ School of Public Affairs as the Dean’s Distinguished Fellow and Fellow of the Dávila Chair in International Trade Policy, where he is designing innovative approaches to the study of public policy, governance and politics. The UTRGV Distinguished Speaker event is free and open to the public. It begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Complex on the UTRGV Edinburg Campus. Doors open at 7 p.m. for students with a valid university ID, and 7:20 p.m. for the general public. Future DSS speakers include Diane Guerrero, actress from the megahit Orange is the New Black and Jane the Virgin, and author of In the Country We Love, on Jan. 30, 2018; and Daymond John, a Shark on ABC’s Shark Tank, New York Times bestselling author, and branding guru, on March 7, 2018. For more information or special accommodations, call Student Involvement at 956-665-2660 or 956-8825111.
UTRGV medical student David Goldblatt administers a vaccine injection under the supervision of Linda Nelson, RN, MSN, senior director of Clinical Operations for the School of Medicine, during a 2016 visit to the Indian Hills colonia. (UTRGV Archive Photo by David Pike)
UTRGV School of Medicine Awarded $3.75 Million to Provide Healthcare to Underserved Areas The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine will use a $3.75 million grant to establish three primary healthcare clinics that will increase access to primary healthcare in rural and underserved areas. In addition to providing training for medical students, the program will also provide a track for high school students interested in the healthcare field to get some training. The grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration will allow the UTRGV School of Medicine to develop the three clinics, formally called Area Health Education Centers (AHEC). Dr. John Ronnau, UTRGV School of Medicine senior associate dean for Interprofessional Education, said the grant – which will allocate $750,000 per year for five years – is intended to help increase access to primary healthcare in rural and underserved areas; develop and enhance education and training networks within com-
munities, academic institutions and community-based organizations; and teach medical and students in other health-related disciplines about the social determinants of health and health disparities. The grant will allow the School of Medicine to establish primary healthcare clinics in three AHECS, which will be operated by the professional healthcare staff, faculty and students of the UTRGV College of Health Affairs and the School of Medicine, Ronnau said. The School of Medicine and the College of Health Affairs will develop curriculum for students that will include offering credit for their work in the clinic, and will develop a pipeline program through which high school students interested in healthcare-related fields can receive training. The grant allows the School of Medicine and its partners to build upon the work they have been doing in communities throughout the Rio Grande Valley as part of their community partnerships and inter-professional education
teams, he said. Ronnau said the School of Medicine’s strong partnerships with the College of Health Affairs, other colleges and departments within UTRGV, Cameron, Hidalgo, and Starr counties’ local health clinics, regional community colleges, and regional medical high schools, made the grant possible. “Through the good work of the School of Medicine and College of Health Affairs and our community partners, we got the attention of federal grantors,” Ronnau said. “Hopefully, this is a foot in the door for future funding.” The School of Medicine is working with its county partners to determine the locations of those centers. As part of the grant, UTRGV is required to match 100 percent of the funds provided by the HRSA. Ronnau said this can include faculty time, space for the centers provided by the counties, donations from the localities participating in the interprofessional education teams, and other in-kind donations.
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Wednesday, September 27, 2017
WWW.RGVTIMES.COM
Hidalgo County DA, Family Violence Task Force host “Purple Day” in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month
The Hidalgo County Criminal District Attorney’s Office, in partnership with the Hidalgo County Family Violence Task Force, will commemorate Domestic Violence Awareness Month with the third annual “Purple Day” informational fair on Tuesday, Oct. 3, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. outside the Hidalgo County Courthouse. Domestic Violence is a serious issue in Hidalgo County. In 2015, 5,505 cases of family violence were reported to local enforcement agencies in Hidalgo County. The Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office responded to 1,852 calls for family violence incidents, which equates to 36 percent of the calls that were made to deputies. “The reported cases are just the tip of the iceberg,” said Criminal District Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez Jr. “Many victims suffer in silence and we need to do everything we can to help shed light on the issue, and to let the victims know that they are not alone; that
there are resources, programs, and services available to help them.” According to the Texas Council on Family Violence, more than one in
three Texas women are victims of domestic violence and more than 100 women lose their lives in domestic violence murders each year. According to the National Crime Victims Coalition, every year 1.3 million women suffer family violence by their intimate partner. This is translated to 3,869 women a day; this equals to three women suffering a form of family violence every minute of the day. In addition, 3 women die every day due to acts of family violence. “Domestic Violence Awareness Month provides an excellent opportunity for Hidalgo County to demonstrate its support for the victims of domestic violence,” Rodriguez said. “Moreover, it is a key opportunity to educate the public about domestic violence and the prevalence of this epidemic.” The fair will include booths from several domestic violence support organizations, including: Mujeres Unidas; Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office;
Nueva Luz Foundation; Rio Grande Valley Families and Friends of Murdered Children; Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Safe H.A.V.E.N; RGV Children’s Bereavement Center; Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid; Children’s Advocacy Center; CASA of Hidalgo County; Safe Heaven for Kids; Angels of Love; UTRGV Office of Victim Advocacy and Violence Prevention; Fuerza Del Valle; L.R.G.V.D.C; South Texas College; and Crime Victims Liaisons from Peñitas PD, Weslaco PD, HCSO, Sullivan City PD, Hidalgo PD, Pharr PD, and San Juan PD. In addition, students from South Texas College and the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley will present the Gravestone Project, to honor and remember all the victims that have lost their lives due to domestic violence. The event is free and open to the public. Participants are encouraged to wear purple in support of Domestic Abuse Awareness.
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MCHS Students Earn AP Scholar Awards
Sixteen students from Mission Collegiate High School (MCHS) earned AP Scholar Awards in recognition of their exceptional achievement on AP (Advanced Placement) exams. The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program provides motivated, academically prepared students with the opportunity to take rigorous, college-level courses while still in high school, and to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both for successful performance on the AP exams. The College Board recognizes several levels of achievement, based on students’ performance on AP exams. Senior Chelsie Barrientos qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award. This is earned by receiving an average score
of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of the exams. Fifteen students qualified for the AP Scholar Award by completing three or more AP exams with grades of 3 or higher. Sylvia Cardenas, junior; Dariany Ceja, senior; Wendy De La Cruz Monc, senior; Jahaira Gallardo, senior; Maria D Gamez, senior; Angela E. Guerrero, junior; Rafael Martinez, senior; Yaired L. Osornio, senior; Debbie L. Rodriguez, senior; Victoria N. Rodriguez, senior; Harry E. Siegel, senior, are among this group. Members of the Class of 2017 who earned this honor are: Cristina Briceno, Yanairem Moreno, Ally A. Perez, Doris Sarabia.
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Wednesday, September 27, 2017
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Dr. Hector Perez Garcia Day Celebrates Civil Right Legacy
New Law Seeks to Prevent Surprise Medical Bills from Freestanding ERs
A new law requires Texas’ freestanding emergency rooms to more clearly communicate what health insurance networks they’re in, if any. by Shannon Najmabadi, Texas Tribune Patients who visit freestanding emergency rooms in Texas should now have a better idea of whether their health insurance will cover the bill. A new state law that took effect Sept. 1 requires the facilities — which resemble urgent care clinics but often charge hospital emergency room prices — to post notice of what, if any, insurance networks they’re in. The new law is about “protecting consumers,” said Jamie Dudensing, chief executive officer of the Texas Association of Health Plans. Meant to prevent patients from surprising — and often debilitating — medical bills, freestanding ERs can comply with the new rules by posting the insurance information on their websites, as long as written confirmation is also provided to patients.
“We take educating patients very seriously,” said Brad Shields, executive director of the Texas Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers, which represents such facilities in Texas. In 2009, Texas became the first state to permit freestanding ERs, facilities independent of hospitals that provide acute care around the clock — and frequently aren’t in insurance networks. They have spread quickly across the state, profiting, their critics argue, by charging up to ten times more than urgent care centers to treat ailments like a fever or sore throat. These prices have blindsided unsuspecting consumers who realize too late that they were treated by an out-of-network provider. Christopher Spector was startled to receive an $1,100 bill after visiting a freestanding ER in North Richland Hills for an eye injury. In a letter he wrote to contest the charge, Spector says he went to the facility after being hit in the right eye with
a tennis ball and, after a series of tests, was told to see a nearby ophthalmologist for further treatment. He doesn’t remember asking if the freestanding ER was in or out of his health insurance network. “For doing essentially nothing but giving me the name of an ophthalmologist,” he wrote in the letter, “First Choice billed my insurance (United Healthcare) an outrageous amount of $6,111. UH paid $4,400.10 (which is still a ludicrous amount) but First Choice isn’t satisfied. They say I’m responsible for $1,100.03 of the remaining amount.” He called the charges “unreasonable, uncustomary and even predatory,” and described how the ophthalmology center he visited the next day provided him more comprehensive care at a fraction of the price. “I wasn’t surprised to receive a bill,” he said, but freestanding ERs need to be more upfront about what care they provide and at what cost.
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The legacy of Dr. Hector P. Garcia, a Mexican-American civil rights leader who founded the American GI forum and fought for the rights of Hispanics in this country, was celebrated last week. In 2009, Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa sponsored a bill that designated the third Wednesday in September as Hector P. Garcia Day. The bill authorized the observance of the day by schools and state agencies to honor Dr. Garcia and teach our younger generations about his legacy. Senator Hinojosa also passed a resolution naming a portion of State Highway 286 the Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Highway in Corpus Christi. Dr. Hector P. Garcia was a legendary physician and World War II Veteran who fought for the rights of Hispanics and veterans who were denied educational, medical and housing opportunities. A man who served and advocated for the most vulnerable and underserved portions in our communities, he reminds us that serving our community is an act of selflessness.
It is important that our Texas youths learn about an extraordinary man who dedicated his life to public service and who broke down the barriers that existed at the time. Senator Hinojosa commented on the value of commemorating Dr. Garcia’s contributions: “It is important that our Texas youths learn about an extraordinary man who dedicated his life to public service and who broke down the barriers that existed at the time. Dr. Garcia made a significant difference in the freedoms we now enjoy and was able to advance the interests of Hispanics, even in the highest
levels of government. Dr. Garcia embodies the spirit of selflessness and public service. As a private American citizen, Dr. Garcia exercised his constitutional rights to elevate awareness about the plight of neglected Americans. As a physician, he provided access to medical care to underserved communities. As a soldier, he demonstrated valor and sacrifice as he fought to protect our liberties. Dr. Garcia left us a legacy and his memory serves as lessons to us all.” Dr. Garcia received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and earned a Bronze Star for his military service and six battle stars while protecting our way of life. He served as an advisor to Presidents John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson and Jimmy Carter and served as the first Hispanic on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa proudly represents the counties of Nueces, Jim Wells, Brooks, and Hidalgo (part). Senator Hinojosa currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, and serves on the Senate Committees on Natural Resources & Economic Development; Transportation; Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs as well as the Sunset Advisory Commission.
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Wednesday, September 27, 2017
WWW.RGVTIMES.COM
Texas Teens To Be Trained On Police Interactions
High schoolers, new drivers and police will all need to receive training on police interactions under a new law — but not until next fall.
By Jolie McCullough, Texas Tribune High school students, new drivers and police officers are all set to receive training in how to act during police interactions under a new state law that went into effect this month. But don’t expect these courses to start right away — officials have barely begun creating them, and the courses are scheduled to begin next September. Senate Bill 30 was pitched to Texas lawmakers amid a growing rift between communities and law enforcement after several fatal police encounters. It came after the death of Sandra Bland, a 28-year-old woman who was found hanged in her jail cell three days after a heated traffic stop led to her arrest, and also followed the fatal shooting of five Dallas police officers during a protest of violent police encounters. “There’s a lot of tension in terms of interactions between law enforcement and citizens in traffic stops,” said Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, who authored the bill. “We’ve seen some fatalities and we’ve seen people pointing the finger at one another.” West said he hopes some of that tension will be relieved by teaching the different groups what is expected of citizens and police during interactions, primarily traffic stops. Next September, Texas’ public high school curriculum, driver’s ed classes and training for new and veteran police officers must include instructions on the role and duties of police officers, individuals’ rights during a police inter-
action, proper behavior for both citizens and cops, laws on questioning and detention by police and how to file a complaint or compliment. The Texas Department of Public Safety already established suggested actions during traffic stops in its latest version of the Texas Driver Handbook, which was released last week. The changes include keeping one’s hands near the steering wheel and not reaching into the glove box for one’s driver’s license or proof of insurance until talking to the officer. The book also adds a section explaining that drivers can ask to leave if they’re being held at a traffic stop for an extended period of time and they can decline search requests if there is no probable cause. The wording in the handbook will “serve as a base foundation for the educational curriculum that will be developed as a result of Senate Bill 30,” according to a DPS news release. The law gave officials the extra year for implementation so they could coordinate training to ensure teens, drivers and police officers are all learning the same thing, West said. A committee to design the courses includes representatives of DPS, the State Board of Education and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. “We’re going to get together to establish the topics that would be required for one to build a course and administer it so that we have some uniform courses out there,” said Ray Pizarro, director of education and examinations for TDLR. “We don’t want somebody doing one thing and somebody doing the other thing.”
Experience the hidden culture of the Maya, in a special exhibit at UTRGV “Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed,” a special exhibit showcasing the architecture and art of Mayan civilization, is currently being installed at UTRGV and will be launched inconjunction with the opening of HESTEC Week. “Maya” will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, from Oct. 2, 2017, to Jan. 5, 2018, in the UTRGV Visitors Center on the Ed-
inburg Campus, 1201 W. University Drive. Through a series of exhibits and artifacts, the special exhibit addresses questions about the Maya and offers a glimpse into the daily life of the Mayan people. The exhibit is free and open to the public, and is available in English and Spanish. For more information, call (956) 665-2353. To reserve a school visit, go to utrgv.edu/maya.
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Wednesday, September 27, 2017
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Finally! UTRGV Gets The Money
They had to wait for it, but the medical school finally got its money. McAllen City Commissioners Monday evening voted three to one to give the new UTRGV medical school a million dollars, making good on a pledge of a few years ago to support the school every year for ten years. Commissioners also adopted a $365 million budget for the coming fiscal year, which begins October 1. The tax rate stays the same at $.4763. When the University of Texas System started talking about opening a medical school at what is now the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, a new school created out of the University of Texas-Pan American and the University of Texas-Brownsville, system officials told
whomever would listen that they needed local government to support the school with tax dollars. The result of that was the cities of Edinburg, Pharr, McAllen and Mission, and Hidalgo County, pledging about $5 million each year. While Pharr, Edinburg and the County have paid their money every year, Mission has paid nothing and McAllen has made one payment of $1 million a couple of years ago and nothing since. Exactly why McAllen was holding back, was never officially said. At Monday’s meeting, Commissioner John Ingram said the UT System had made promises they did not keep, including putting the medical school headquarters in McAllen. For his part, Commissioner Richard Cortez, after the meeting, said no promises were made. In the end, Commissioners Cortez, Aida Ramirez and Omar Quintanilla voted to give the money, while Ingram and Commissioner J.J. Zamora voted against. Commissioner Veronica Vela Whitacre abstained and said later it was because her husband is a professor at UTRGV. Another $1 million is included in next year’s budget, the one they adopted Monday night, but no word on when, or if, commissioners will go ahead and write the check.
South Texas Health System is gearing up for another exciting and engaging Trauma and Injury Prevention Expo at McAllen Medical Center on Saturday, September 30th. There is a distinguished list of speakers ready to inform the public on a number of interesting topics, from injuries in accidents to dangers lurking in your own backyard. Valley Care Clinics physician Dr. Lerone Simpson will focus on the do’s and don’ts when it comes to snake bites. Three types of deadly venomous snakes can be found right here in the Rio Grande Valley: the Texas Coral Snake, Western Diamondback rattlesnake and desert Massasauga rattlesnake. With roughly 7,000 venomous snakebite cases reported every year in the United States, physicians are ed-
ucating the public on how to prevent an encounter and the first aid steps to take if you’re bitten by a snake. Even a bite from a harmless snake can be serious, leading to an allergic reaction or infection, if not taken care of properly. Local bee and insect expert, Luis Slayton, will educate the public on ways to avoid getting stung while protecting the insects. Slayton brings years of experience in extracting large beehives from structures without harming the hive or the bees. Both Simpson and Slayton are sure to keep the audiences engaged with captivating presentations. The 2nd Annual Trauma and Injury Prevention Expo is free to the public. Food trucks will be selling food on site. There will also be mock rescues from fires and accidents performed by firefighters and first responders.
UTRGV President, Dr. Guy Bailey.
By Davis Rankin
Trauma & Injury Prevention Expo Targets ‘Dangers Lurking In Your Backyard’
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New Law Seeks to Prevent Surprise Medical Bills from Freestanding ERs From pg. 5 The new law aims to clarify a process all sides agree can be confusing. State Rep. Tom Oliverson, R-Cypress, who authored the legislation, said it prevents Texans from being deceived. For the “90 percent of freestanding ERs that aren’t in the business of intentionally misleading people,” he said, “if it helps patients be less confused, they’re good with it.” Shields said his group supported the bill through the legislative process. Most facilities are good actors, he said, that strive to inform consumers about what their insurance plan covers. The websites of some freestanding ERs in Texas, for example, advise that the facility may not be in-network and may charge rates comparable to a hospital ER. Some even suggest patients visit an urgent care clinic instead. Shields said the benefit of freestanding ERs is that they provide more timely and convenient access to medical care. “Wait-
ing in the hospital waiting room for five hours,” he says, “that doesn’t have to be the norm.” The new law was one of several bills filed during the 85th Texas legislative session that took aim at freestanding ERs. Another that passed, authored by state Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, allows more patients to use a mediation system to dispute surprise medical bills, including those incurred at freestanding ERs. Together, Dudensing said, the new laws provide better protection for consumers, who will have more information before making decisions about their treatment. “We’re not trying to disrupt any business model,” she said. Disclosure: The Texas Association of Health Plans and the Texas Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.
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Wednesday, September 27, 2017
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Edinburg Rotary Donates 100 Backpacks to ECISD
Memorial Middle School student representatives accept Edinburg Rotary backpack donations. Pictured (L-R): Michael Sanchez, Edinburg Rotary Member; Angelica Lerma, Memorial MS student representative; Galilea Garcia, Memorial MS student representative; Abigail Alvarado, Memorial MS student representative; Clarissa Garza Memorial MS student representative; and Frances Dicus, Edinburg Rotary Member.
Cortez Is Running For County Judge Richard Cortez is officially in the race. The former mayor and current District One commissioner for the City of McAllen this week officially announced that he is running for Hidalgo County Judge in the 2018 Democratic Party Primary. Speaking to a raucous crowd of supporters at the Hidalgo County Commissioners Court, Cortez formally announced his candidacy. Current Hidalgo County Judge Ramon Garcia has already announced that he would not seek re-election for a third consecutive term. He had publicly urged Cortez to file for the post. The “Friends of Richard Cortez Hidalgo County Judge Exploratory Committee” had been formed at the beginning of September to round up support for a potential run. At the time, Cortez had not yet committed to a run. With the filing deadline for the primary coming up on December 11, Cortez is now the third candidate to announce for the position. Former County Judge Eloy Pulido and Jane Cross, a former educator and small
business owner had already announced for the position. Pulido is running in the Democrat primary while Cross is running in the Republican primary. Another committee had been formed earlier this year to push Pharr Mayor Ambrosio “Amos” Hernandez to run as well. However, Hernandez declined to run last week. Richard Cortez, a CPA, is one of the partners at Burton, McCumber & Cortez, LLP of McAllen. He joined the firm in 1998, serving in forensic consulting and business valuation services. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from The University of Texas Pan American. Cortez served as mayor of the City of McAllen from 2005 to 2013. Her returned to the commission in 2015. With his run for the County Judge position, Cortez will have to resign his seat on the city commission.
Edinburg CISD’s Memorial Middle School recently received 100 backpacks filled with school supplies from the Edinburg Rotary. For the second year in a row, Rotarians distributed the large shipment of backpacks for sixth, seventh and eighth graders. “We focus on middle school students, because we notice that most backpack programs are geared toward elementary school students,” said Frances Dicus, a member of the Edinburg Rotary. “Middle school students get left out.” Memorial Middle School Principal Fermin Gonzalez said that the students were very excited to learn that they would be receiving the wonderful backpacks filled with supplies to help them with their studies. “It was a great thing for our students, especially those who do not have the financial means to purchase all of these school supplies,” Gonzalez said. “The backpacks came in very handy and made a lot of students very happy.”
Four PSJA Memorial ECHS Students Named to All-State Journalism Staff
Four PSJA Memorial Early College High School students have been named to the 2016-2017 All-State Journalism staff by the University Interscholastic League (UIL). They are Sophomores Zorayda Sanchez and Josefina Martinez, Senior Roxanna Sanchez, and 2017 graduate and current University of Texas Austin student Alyssa Sandoval. “All-State staff members show initiative and a real desire to improve their journalistic skills,” said Jeanne Acton, UIL Director of Journalism. The PSJA Memorial Early College High School UIL Journalism Coaches are Aaron Lozano and Jason Flores. To become a member of the All-State Journalism Staff, students must accumulate points over the year based on their achievement in at UIL journalism contests, and other writing and publication contests, both statewide and nationwide. The students apply to become members of the All-State Staff. Any student who is involved in scholastic journalism in Texas is eligible for the staff.
Two of the four students have also been part of PSJA ISD’s Communication’s Summer Internships Programs. Both Roxanna Sanchez and Alyssa Sandoval interned at the Rio Grande Guardian during the summer of 2016, increasing their experience in the field. “Like any other extracurricular activity, journalism students put enormous amounts of time into their school publications and writing competitions,” Acton said. “These students need to be recognized for their commitment and passion to high school journalism. The skills students learn from journalism are lifelong.”
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
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Muñoz on Committee Tasked With Ways to Reduce Disaster Impact Following the late summer 2017 catastrophe known as Hurricane Harvey, which missed the Rio Grande Valley but caused billions of dollars of property damage, Rep. Sergio Muñoz, D-Mission, will be coming up with ways for Texas to reduce the impact of future natural disasters. Muñoz serves on the powerful House Committee on Appropriations, which shapes the $217+ billion state budget for the 150-member House of Representatives and has been assigned by Speaker of the House Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, to also review how the federal and state governments are helping the victims of Hurricane Harvey. “It was a miracle that the Valley was literally the only region on the state’s coastline that was not struck by this monster storm,” Muñoz said. “What were are going to learn through these upcoming legislative hearings and fact-finding tours dealing with Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath surely will help protect all Texans in the future. I invite any Valley residents with ideas,
especially as they affect the Valley, to contact me.” First on the work schedule for Muñoz and his fellow lawmakers on the House Committee on Appropriations is a public hearing set for Monday, October 2, 2017 beginning at 10 a.m. in the Waldorf Ballroom at the University of Houston Hilton, according to Rep. John Zerwas, M.D., R-Richmond. Muñoz, who has served in the Texas Legislature since 2011, represents all or parts of the cities of Hidalgo, Granjeño, McAllen, Mission, Palmview and Pharr. “The next year will provide a valuable opportunity for committees to listen to the public, research solutions, and recommend action that the House should take in 2019,” Straus said. “However, we know that this is not going to be a normal legislative interim. Hurricane Harvey has devastated our state and upended the lives of millions of Texans. While the state is taking a number of immediate actions to help Texans begin to recover, and will continue to do so, the Legislature will have a substantial role to play in both the recovery process and in preparation for future storms. The importance of getting these issues right when we meet again demands that we start working on them now.”
This week, the Hidalgo County Commissioners Court is expected to finalize its 2018 fiscal budget, which runs from Oct. 1, 2017 to Sept. 30, 2018. The final budget was presented at last week’s meeting and posted for public review. As the Hidalgo County budget comes closer to being finalized for adoption, Hidalgo County Budget Officer Sergio Cruz presented a final report to Commissioners Court. “The budget stays as is,” said Cruz. “For the second year in a row we have a balanced budget,” The County’s $2.8 million budget was filed with the County Clerk’s Office on the morning of September 20 and became available for public viewing. The final budget includes a reduction in the tax rate from 59 cents to 58 cents per $100 valuation. In addition, the County’s reserve fund is $27.9 million, which
is 13.9 percent of the proposed 2018 budget, Cruz reported. “We are excited to be moving forward on this endeavor and happy to have a balanced budget and a tax cut for 2018,” said County Judge Ramon Garcia. Hidalgo County collects over $258 million in taxes The County’s $2.8 million budget was filed with the County Clerk’s Office on the morning of September 20 and became available for public viewing. The final budget includes a reduction in the tax rate from 59 cents to 58 cents per $100 valuation. In addition, the County’s reserve fund is $27.9 million, which is 13.9 percent of the proposed 2018 budget, Cruz reported. “We are excited to be moving forward on this endeavor and happy to have a balanced budget and a tax cut for 2018,” said County Judge Ramon Garcia.
County Finalizes Budget This Week With Rate Reduction
Sharyland ISD Principals Serves as President of TEPSA for Region I
Anthony Limon, Principal at Harry Shimotsu Elementary in Sharyland ISD, will serve as President of the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA) for Region I. Mr. Limon has over 19 years of experience in education that he will draw upon to lead this fast growing Region. He wants to be a voice in the legislative halls of the Texas State Capitol for the children of the Rio Grande Valley. “Sharyland I.S.D. is proud to know that we have an educational leader in
our district that provides a quality education not only to our students, but also to all Texas school children” said Superintendent Dr. Robert O’Connor. The Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA), whose hallmark is educational leaders learning with and from each other, has served Texas PreK-8 school leaders since 1917. Member owned and member governed, TEPSA has more than 5,900 members who direct the activities of 3 million PreK-8 school children.