Senator John Cornyn Receives Award from Valley Baptist Health System as “Champion of Health Care”

HARLINGEN, TEXAS - Feb. 27, 2004 – Texas’ U.S. Senator, John Cornyn, visited Valley Baptist Medical Center today (Friday, Feb. 27), and received an award from Valley Baptist Health System. Sen. Cornyn has been named “Champion for Healthcare in the Rio Grande Valley” by Valley Baptist. The award was presented by Valley Baptist President and CEO James Springfield.

Senator Cornyn was the first elected official to tour the Matt and Patty Gorges Children’s Center a year ago at Valley Baptist. The U.S. Senator is a strong supporter of healthcare providers and medical liability reform. Most recently, he led the way for the new Medicare reform bill which included funding for local emergency room visits for undocumented immigrants. And, earlier this month, the Regional Academic Health Center received a million dollar grant for a nutrition center to be brought to Harlingen; this was made possible through Sen. Cornyn’s participation. The nutrition center will focus on diet-related diseases such as diabetes and obesity, which affect Hispanics in large numbers.

Sen. Cornyn was elected to the U.S. Senate in November 2002 to replace the retiring Phil Gramm. He previously visited Valley Baptist in Feb. 2003, where he discussed his support of medical liability reform and other important issues relating to the health care field.