Austin – State Rep. Dianne White Delisi today commended the official grand opening of an advance practice nurse clinic at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) complex located in Austin. This new clinic was the result of legislation authored by Delisi during the 79th Regular Session in 2005. Delisi's HB 952 called for a pilot program to test the merits of providing state employees access to an advanced practice nurse clinic at their work locations.


The clinic officially opened for business on March 16. An open house event to showcase the new facility was held on March 21.


Delisi modeled the new on-site nurse clinic on a similar facility that has been operating successfully at the Texas Capitol Complex since 1992. The Capitol facility, which has been staffed by advanced practice nurse Tim Flynn since its creation, has demonstrated both convenience and cost-savings. Delisi reasoned that what worked at the Capitol should also work at the state agency level.


"State employees with various minor health matters face having to take time off from work to schedule appointments with busy primary care providers. This didn't work well for anyone involved," Delisi stated. "I wanted state employees to have another option and saw a potential for creating better health care access at lower cost for the taxpayer."


During the public hearing on the bill Delisi heard testimony regarding how similar initiatives undertaken by private-sector employers had been found to be both cost-effective and popular with employees. The measure was endorsed by the Texas Public Employees Association and became law with unanimous bipartisan support in both chambers of the Texas legislature.


Delisi stresses that the decision on whether or not to take advantage of the onsite nurse is left wholly up to the employee. There are no restrictions preventing employees from seeking treatment at another facility.


The nurse clinic will also offer ready access to preventive measures like flu shots.


The nurse clinic will operate under the supervision of the Austin Regional Clinic and all prescriptions will be reviewed by a physician. The clinic will operate as an adjunct to the health care provided by physicians, not as a replacement for it.  


"This new clinic has great potential to be more convenient for our state employees, improve workplace productivity, promote better health, and save money for the taxpayers," stated Rep. Delisi. "It is a win for all involved and shows what a little innovation applied to health care can accomplish."


The nurse clinic's performance will be evaluated during the yearlong pilot program. If its potential is realized, there is an option to expand it other state office complexes.


Delisi has had requests for copies of this legislation from other states looking for cost-effective ways to improve health care options for state employees.