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I want to thank, once again, the TMA-member physicians who are taking time away from their offices to testify for medicine before state House and Senate committees. Most recently:

• San Antonio family physician Janet Realini, MD, MPH, testified on behalf of TMA before the House Human Services Committee in support of House Bill 419 by Rep. Mike Villarreal (D- San Antonio). That bill would extend the life of the Women’s Health Program.
• Houston neonatologist/perinatologist Charleta Guillory, MD, testified (PDF) at the Senate Health and Human Services Committee in support of Senate Bill 229 by Senator Nelson. The measure would help guarantee all newborns in Texas get a hearing screening.
• Philip Huang, MD, MPH, the medical director for the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department, testified in support of HB 2602 (PDF) by Rep. Carol Alvarado (D-Houston). Dr. Huang told the House Ways and Means Committee that increasing the tax on tobacco products is a proven way to reduce both the number of people who smoke and how much they smoke.

You can make your own impact on how the legislature treats your profession and your patients by joining us April 5 for the next First Tuesdays at the Capitol. This month’s event should be bolstered by hundreds of medical students and residents, who are also invited to watch the NCAA men’s basketball Final Four championship game with us Monday night at the TMA building.