State Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Southside Place) has been presented with the “Patient Care Champion Award” from the Harris County Medical Society in recognition of her work during the 82nd Texas Legislature earlier this year.
Board President Dr. Dinsdale Ford presented the plaque to Huffman during the HCMS Southwest Branch board meeting in Sugar Land.
Ford said the award was an acknowledgment of Huffman’s commitment to physicians and their patients.
“For her great work this session supporting patients, medical schools and physicians, Sen. Joan Huffman is a true Patient Care Champion,” Ford said. “Her signature work on health care took on many of the problems that physicians have had with the Texas Medical Board.”
Huffman was specifically cited for her work on Senate Bill 177, legislation she authored to strengthen due process rights for Texas physicians, protect patient rights and privacy, and improve the process by which TMB investigates patient complaints against physicians. Due to Huffman’s work, the bill was passed and signed into law this past June.
The senator also sponsored the Healthcare Compact, legislation that authorized Texas to join with other states in pursuit of a compact agreement with the federal government to give states greater autonomy over health care administration. Ultimately, the agreement would curtail stringent federal regulations over Medicaid and CHIP funding, allowing each state the autonomy to find better, more efficient ways to meet the health care needs of its citizens.
“I am honored to receive this award from the Harris County Medical Society,” Huffman said. “People travel from all over to receive healthcare treatment in Texas, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve such a unique and accomplished medical community.”
Huffman’s 17th senatorial district includes the Bellaire area, as well as portions of Harris, Fort Bend and Brazoria counties.
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