WHEREAS, the CARES Commission has released information to the effect that the final report to Anthony J. Principi, Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs, will recommend that the 20 acute-care beds and the 5 ICU beds be transferred to Audie Murphy as soon as possible; and

WHEREAS, the purpose of the CARES Commission was to recommend a realignment of assets to provide improved health care to our veterans; and

WHEREAS, the closing of the acute-care bed at the Kerrville VA Hospital in no way will provide improved health care to the veterans of the Texas Hill Country; and

WHEREAS, the Kerrville VA Hospital now operates at a cost per day per patient of only $870.00, one of the lowest in the nation according to VA records; and

WHEREAS, according to the Commission Chairman, Mr. Everett Alvarez, Jr., the Commission is making their recommendation based on the lack of occupancy at Kerrville while Audie Murphy is overcrowded and placing acute-care patients at Methodist and University hospitals and many time are sent to Kerrville; and

WHEREAS, in order to solve the overcrowded condition at Audie Murphy the Commission is recommending the construction of a $11 million addition rather than fully using the existing Kerrville facilities; and

WHEREAS, all statistics used by VISN 17 and STVHCS show that the veteran population will continue to increase until the year 2008-2010; while the proposal to build new facilities in San Antonio will not be complete and ready for use until the year 2012, after which the veteran population starts to decrease, rendering this proposal unacceptable; and

WHEREAS, the Kerrville VA Hospital is a major employer in the Texas Hill Country and any reduction in service to veterans will have a negative impact on the local economy; and

WHEREAS, when given a choice between Kerrville and Audie Murphy, the veteran will always select Kerrville because of the well trained, dedicated, professional staff and the quality of service provided; and

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the KERRVILLE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT does hereby urge all concerned to recommend to Secretary Principi that the Kerrville facility acute-care beds not be transferred to San Antonio, and consideration be given to immediately add an additional 20 acute-care beds to the Kerrville facility to relieve the over-crowded conditions at Audie Murphy; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be forwarded to the Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison, John Cornyn, Lamar S. Smith, Henry Bonilla, Arlen Specter, Christopher H. Smith and Bob Simmons.

ADOPTED this the 20h day of January 2004.