FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 3, 2009

Fort Worth — Today, December 3, 2009, Representative Shelton filed for reelection to the Texas House of Representatives, where he currently represents District 97 in southwest Tarrant County.

“I am honored for the opportunity to run for reelection in hopes to again represent the people of District 97 in Austin,” says Shelton. “I am proud of the many accomplishments of the 81st Legislature, but I know that our state will be faced with many challenges in the next session, including high unemployment and a budget shortfall. It is important that we have leaders in Austin who are committed to passing fiscally responsible laws that balance the budget, keep taxes low, and create jobs in Texas.”

Representative Shelton, one of only three physicians serving in the Texas Legislature, was responsible for the passage of several key pieces of legislation during the 81^st session, including serving as the House sponsor for ChildLINK – a new program administered by the Office of the Attorney General that will provide health coverage to over 200,000 uninsured children in the child support system, at no cost to the taxpayers. Shelton also joint-authored legislation advancing newborn screening procedures for curable diseases, which will ensure that sick infants receive proper, life-saving treatment. For his efforts to improve health care for Texas children, Shelton was awarded the Health Care Hero Award by the House Republican Caucus.

Also during the 81^st Legislative Session, House Speaker Joe Straus appointed Representative Shelton to the Committee on Border and Intergovernmental Affairs, the Committee on House Administration, and the Committee on Public Education, through which Shelton passed legislation removing unfunded mandates for public schools, providing solutions for childhood obesity, and implementing new accountability standards to Texas schools. Shelton successfully passed legislation protecting victims of human trafficking and co-authored the successful property tax and eminent domain reforms passed by the 81st Legislature and approved by Texas voters in the November 2009 election. Shelton is an ardent supporter of securing the Texas-Mexico border in order to keep Texans safe. Bringing a common-sense, conservative approach to state government, Shelton consistently voted to lower taxes, decrease government spending, balance the state budget, and reject federal intervention in Texas law. Speaker Straus expressed his support saying, “Dr. Shelton had a tremendous first year in the Texas House. His perspective as a physician is invaluable as we seek to control healthcare costs, and preserve patient choice. His fiscal conservatism is needed in the Texas House to ensure we control spending and keep taxes low.”

Representative Shelton grew up in Arlington, Texas and is a graduate of Lamar High School.  He earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Baylor University and went on to attend the Texas A&M University College of Medicine (now the Texas A&M Health Science Center), receiving his Doctor of Medicine Degree in 1983. He is double-boarded in Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases.

Shelton has been married to his wife Mary Ann for 26 years, and they have four children: Richard, Andrew, Peter, and Betsy.

Statement from Representative Mark Shelton

For Immediate Release

December 3, 2009

­

Fort Worth, Texas - With the White House Jobs Summit being held today State Representative Mark Shelton (R- Fort Worth) is calling for a smarter, limited government approach to job creation that is an alternative to the federal stimulus spending and intervention in the private sector. 

While Texas does stand in a position better off than the rest of the nation, current unemployment figures show the need for a state-level response to grow the economy while creating jobs.

“The federal stimulus package is not working, with the national unemployment rate now climbing above 10 percent and job creation costing taxpayers $250,000 per new job.  The federal government should look to Texas on how to get the national economy back on track.” stated Shelton.

While the current Texas unemployment rate of 8.3 percent is too high, it does remain lower than the national rate of 10.2 percent and the 12.5 percent rate in California.  Comparably low taxes, lawsuit reform, and frugal spending while preserving the integrity of the Rainy Day fund all attribute to the strength of the Texas economy.  

“Texas so far has been able to survive the economic crisis relatively well due to our State’s strong, conservative fiscal responsibility and targeted job growth over the last six years,” said Shelton.  “While the 82nd Legislative Session is more than a year away, we currently must begin to focus on what we as a State must do to uphold our economic integrity while encouraging sound economic and fiscal policies.  Washington must understand that Texas has a better way to create jobs.”

Monday, November 02, 2009 - State Representative Mark Shelton hosted the North Texas Health Care Summit in conjunction with the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce today at the Fort Worth Convention Center. The summit invited health care experts from around the country to discuss the problems facing the health care industry, including insurance, tort reform, and government policies at the local, state, and federal level. Numerous elected officials attended the event, including Senator Jane Nelson who also co-hosted the event.

“I want to thank the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce for hosting this event, as well as the many members of the Texas Legislature who served on the advisory and host committees and helped to make this event possible,” said Representative Shelton.

The summit drew a crowd of 180 individuals, including business owners, community members, elected officials, and state agency staff. Attendees had the opportunity to learn and discuss the ongoing challenges surrounding the health care system.  

“I was excited and honored by the turnout of the event. Health care is an important topic that affects us all and is especially relevant given the news coming out of Washington,” said Shelton. “I plan to implement many of the commonsense policies I learned about today in the next legislative session, so that Texans can have real health care reform.”

Shelton in an infectious disease pediatrician at Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth. He is also a member of the Texas House of Representatives, representing District 97 in southwest Tarrant County.   

Greg Abbott, Texas Attorney General

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

The Legislature took a significant step in addressing health care needs for uninsured children when it passed an innovative initiative. Importantly, it won’t cost taxpayers a dime.

Thanks to Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, and Rep. Mark Shelton, R-Fort Worth — who received valuable support from House Judiciary Committee Chairman Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi; House Human Services Committee Chairman Patrick Rose, D-Dripping Springs; and Sen. Chris Harris, R-Arlington — a new law will help make affordable health insurance available to hundreds of thousands of children who are served by the child support system but who are not covered by health insurance.

The child support system already serves children whose parents do not live under the same roof. Under state and federal laws, the courts require parents to pay child support as well as medical support to help cover a child’s health care costs. This ensures that parents — not taxpayers — bear financial responsibility for their children.

The health care part of court-ordered child support is covered by what is called a “medical support order.” Before issuing a medical support order, courts must determine whether the child’s parents have employer-sponsored health insurance. If so, courts order the parents to enroll their kids in the employer-sponsored plan.

When employer-sponsored insurance is not available — an increasingly common occurrence — courts already can instruct parents to obtain private insurance for their children. Unfortunately, individual plans can be expensive and difficult to navigate. Parents who cannot obtain individual coverage for their children are ordered to make an additional cash payment called cash medical support.

This is where the Legislature’s new approach comes in. The law provides for a private health insurance plan that will be available to cover children who are already receiving child support. This initiative is called ChildLINK.

ChildLINK does not impose new financial obligations on parents. Rather, it simply shifts their duty from an obligation to pay cash medical support to an obligation to pay health insurance premiums. And, because ChildLINK will make a group plan available to such a large group of children, the coverage should be more affordable than individual coverage.

Unlike typical government insurance programs, ChildLINK offers a free-market solution to the problem. And it comes at no cost to the taxpayers because parents, not government, pay the monthly premiums. The coverage will be by a private insurance company that is selected through a competitive bidding process. So the entire program reflects a creative, private-sector approach to ensuring more children have health care coverage.

There’s no denying that children’s health care is a perennial challenge for Texas—and it is a formidable one. But wherever possible, government should empower parents to take responsibility for supporting their children. Then government should foster free-market, private-sector solutions—not more taxpayer-funded entitlement programs.

This is a promising model for helping Texas children, and I encourage Gov. Rick Perry to sign it into law.

greg.abbott@oag.state.tx.us

From State Representative Mark M. Shelton MD

I commend Governor Rick Perry, Health Commissioner Dr. David Lakey, Education Commissioner Robert Scott and the Governor’s Division of Emergency Management, Chief Jack Colley, for their leadership in formulating the Texas Response to the current outbreak of Swine flu.

The current outbreak is a concern due to potential health consequences to our state and nation.  The severity of this outbreak in the US is yet to be determined and, therefore, the measured and prudent response by the State is appropriative.

I encourage all Texans to use good judgment regarding hygiene.  Hand washing, with alcohol based gel or soap and water, is important since most cases of influenza are spread human to human.  Texans should cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.  Anyone who has symptoms of influenza should stay home from work or school.  Individuals with symptoms should see a physician as soon as possible.

Fortunately, this strain of Influenza A is reported susceptible to readily available antiviral medication.  A physician prescription is required for oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and can be given for symptoms or exposure.  Testing of suspect cases is essential.

Governor Perry has secured antiviral medication from the Strategic National Stockpile should demand exceed the normal supply in Texas.   We will all monitor this outbreak and the state will take appropriate steps as needed. 

Mark M. Shelton, M.D. represents the 97th State Legislative District in Tarrant County.  He is board certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases.  He is a Fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of the Americas.

Bill would help prevent election fraud by requiring photo identification before voting.
AUSTIN, TEXAS - Representative Mark Shelton (R-Fort Worth) today urged passage of House Bill 125, which would require registered voters to present photo identification prior to casting their ballots.  “My constituents have told me that they are concerned about election fraud and want our state government to take steps to uphold the integrity of our elections,” said Shelton.  “This bill is a common sense approach to ensure integrity of our ballot boxes.”

Under current law, individuals are not required to present photo identification prior to voting.  “We are required to show photo identification when boarding a plane to ensure our security,” stated Shelton. “Why wouldn’t we ensure security the same way for our most valued act in a democracy?”

The bill has become a flashpoint between Republicans and Democrats during this legislative session.  “I am amazed that this common sense proposal has become so polarized.  This is not a partisan issue. This is a Texan issue, and it is important that we as Texans unite to ensure passage of this significant legislation,” said Shelton.

Shelton dismissed criticisms that requiring photo identification would place an undue burden on certain groups of individuals.   The bill creates exemptions or alternatives for individuals who are elderly, who reside in a nursing home, or who otherwise do not have and cannot obtain a photo id.  Voters who cannot afford a photo identification card can obtain one free of charge from the Department of Public Safety.  Alternately, the voter can execute an affidavit during the election process itself. 

“The only people this bill will prevent from voting are those who do so illegally,” said Shelton.  “We have taken great care to craft appropriate exemptions and alternatives for individuals who are do not have or cannot obtain photo identification.”

House Bill 125 is authored by Rep. Betty Brown.  Shelton is one of four joint authors on the bill.  The bill has 52 additional co-authors, indicating deep level of support by House members.

Shelton is a pediatrician with Cook Children’s Hospital and represents House District 97, which is located in southwest Tarrant County. 

Texas  State Budget________________

The Texas House of Representatives successfully passed the state budget on Friday, April 17th.  The debate lasted 19 hours, and I feel that my colleagues and I were able to make responsible decisions for the fiscal future of our Great State.  I voted in favor of teacher pay increases, property tax relief, and much-needed funding for Hurricane Ike recovery.  Most importantly, we were able to meet our financial goals without dipping into the rainy day fund!  It is my hope that the Legislature’s fiscal responsibility will ensure a bright future for the people of District 97 and generations to come.

Protecting Crime Victims___________

H.B. 1372 passed out of the House of Representatives on Thursday, April 22nd.  This bill will allow victims of human trafficking to be eligible for assistance, such as rehabilitation services, in order to cope with the effects of this horrible crime. The bill will be sponsored in the Senate by Senator Leticia Van de Putte.  I will keep you up-to-date on all actions taken with this bill as it moves toward enrollment.

Texas Teens and Tanning____________

As a pediatrician and father of four, I know the importance of protecting our children from harm.  We have laws to protect our youth from cigarettes, which is carcinogenic.  H.B. 1310 proposes similar measures to protect Texas children from the harmful health effects of tanning beds by requiring parental consent. I am proud to have authored this legislation alongside Chairman Burt Solomons.  This bill passed out of the House on Wednesday, April 22nd, and I am looking forward to its progress in the Senate.

-

Affirming States’ Rights_­­___________

H.C.R. 50, which reaffirms the rights of Texas under the Tenth Amendment, was heard in the Committee on State Affairs on Tuesday, April 21st.  It is my belief that Texans should have the right for their representatives in Austin to decide what is best for this Great State.  I am proud to be a coauthor of this concurrent resolution and look forward to its passage to the House floor.  For more information on my support of H.C.R. 50, please see the Fort Worth Star-Telegram article from Tuesday, April 21st, “Legislators consider telling the U.S. government to ‘cease and desist.’”

Pharmacy  Insurance Cards_­­­­________

H.B 1138 passed out of the Committee on Insurance on Wednesday, April 22nd.  This bill will streamline the standard information available on pharmacy insurance cards in order to decrease patient wait time at the pharmacy counter.  I am looking forward to presenting this bill on the House floor in the near future!

 I would like to thank you all for your continued support!  Please visit my Website and Facebook page for continued updates on  the 81st Legislative Session!

Sincerely,

Representative Mark M. Shelton, M.D.

District 97

District Office                Capitol Office

Peeler Howell                          Clayton Stewart

District Director                     Chief of Staff

1050 Forest Park Blvd.           P.O. Box 2910

Suite 200                                 Austin, TX 78768

Fort Worth, TX 76110            512-463-0608

817-927-0061

For Immediate Release

April 21, 2009

Bill would add victims of human trafficking to the definition of a victim in the Code of Criminal Procedure.

AUSTIN, TEXAS - Representative Mark Shelton passed House Bill (H.B.) 1372 on the floor of the House today. H.B. 1372 would add victims of human trafficking to the definition of a victim under the Code of Criminal Procedure. “Human trafficking is becoming a significant problem in the United States and especially Texas,” Shelton said. “It is a form of modern-day slavery that is physically and emotionally devastating to the victim.”

H.B. 1372 would sanction victims of human trafficking to qualify for benefits and protections under the Crime Victim’s Compensation Act, including the Victim’s Compensation Fund. Victims of human trafficking would be eligible for medical and psychiatric care, loss of earnings support, and vocational training and rehabilitation. The Victim’s Compensation Fund is financed by perpetrators of violent crime.

“The Texas Response to Human Trafficking report released by the Office of the Attorney General explicitly recommended adding victims of human trafficking to the definition of a victim. House Bill 1372 will make this recommendation a reality,” said Shelton. 

“I support anything we as lawmakers can do to help the victims of this horrible crime, as well as prosecute and convict the perpetrators.”

This is the second bill that first term member Shelton has passed through the House of Representatives. Shelton represents House District 97, which is located in southwest Tarrant County. 

The Friday Five

By Representative Mark M. Shelton, M.D.

Crime Control Prevention Districts__

My first bill passed out of the House this week!  House Bill 817 will align crime control prevention district elections with uniform election dates.  The Fort Worth crime control prevention district was created when there were still four election dates each year. Under the current cycle, the district would require a special election to continue functioning. Instead of holding a special election or prematurely dissolving the district, H.B. 817 will allow the Fort Worth crime prevention district to remain in existence until the May 2010 election day.  I am happy to assist in the effective continuation of this program until the citizens of Fort Worth vote in May 2010.

Keeping Doctors in Texas_____________

The graduate medical education bill, House Bill 2687, was passed out of the Committee on Higher Education this week.  This bill will create more residency positions for graduate medical education in rural, underserved areas.  It is my hope that these additional positions will bring healthcare professionals to some of the most medically disadvantaged areas of our State as well as giving our medical school graduates more opportunities to practice in Texas.  The bill is currently in the Calendars Committee, pending the assignment of a date to be heard on the House floor.

Aiding Community Colleges __________

The six-drop bill for community colleges, House Bill 2075, was also passed out of the

Committee on Higher Education this week.  This bill will remove the course-drop limit for community college students, who frequently schedule their coursework around complicated work and family commitments. The removal of this limitation will give students more flexibility and eliminate unnecessary barriers to their education.

Child Support and Health Insurance___

On April 15th I laid out House Bill 4288 in the Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence.  This bill is authored by Representative Todd Hunter, and I am proud to have signed on as a joint author.  H.B. 4288 will create a private insurance group for children in the child support system whose parents do not have access to and/or cannot afford private insurance.  In particular,  this program will serve the group of children whose parents are able to make regular medical support payments in conjunction with their child support payments, but do not have health insurance.

Leadership Fort Worth_______________

Leadership Fort Worth visited the House of Representatives on April 16, and I was pleased to pass a resolution in their honor!  I fully support their efforts to provide Fort Worth with effective leadership and service.   

House Bill 4288 will create a private insurance group for certain Texas children in the child support system.

AUSTIN, TEXAS - Representative Mark Shelton (R-Fort Worth) laid out House Bill (HB) 4288 in the House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence on Wednesday, April 15, 2009. HB 4288 is authored by Representative Todd Hunter, Chairman of the Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee, and joint authored by Representative Shelton. HB 4288 will create a private insurance group for children in the child support system whose parents do not have access to and/or cannot afford private insurance.

State and federal law already requires parents in the child support system to provide health care coverage for their children. This is achieved through a medical support order, which is a monetary obligation that courts order the non-custodial parent to pay each month toward healthcare for their children. Currently, the law instructs judges to first determine whether a child can obtain healthcare coverage through private means, such as employer-provided insurance. Parents who cannot afford an individual plan — or who cannot navigate the complicated process associated with health insurance — may be ordered to pay “cash medical” support. Cash medical is an additional cash payment that parents make on top of their existing child support order. However, within the child support population, there is a segment of children whose parents are already making regular child support payments and regular medical support payments, but who do not have health insurance. HB 4288 will serve this population of children.

HB 4288 will pool these children together to achieve lower premium rates and circumvent the need for underwriting, so that insurance is more affordable and available for parents. HB 4288 authorizes the Office of the Attorney General to establish a health insurance pool for children in the child support system. Through a competitive bid process, the state will evaluate proposals and select a private health insurance provider that will best serve the needs of these children. If parents do no already have private insurance, the courts can direct children into the pool in lieu of ordering “cash medical” support.

“By pooling children in the child support system together, we have the potential for connecting up to 200,000 Texas children to health care coverage their parents can afford — at no cost to the taxpayers,” Shelton says. “This is an example of how the public and private sectors can work together to effectively and efficiently serve a public need.”

HB 4288’s companion — Senate Bill 66 by Senator Nelson — was passed by the Senate unanimously.