Special to the Herald

AUSTIN — State Rep. Joe Heflin, D-Crosbyton, was presented today with the Texas Rural Health TORCHbearer Award by the Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals.

Heflin was recognized for his efforts in the 81st session of the Texas Legislature in support of rural hospitals and working to improve access to health care for rural Texans. The award ceremony was held at Covenant Hospital in Plainview, one of the rural hospitals in House District 85 which is represented by Heflin.

The Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals, also known as TORCH, represents more than 150 rural hospitals, including those in Heflin’s district. According to TORCH President and CEO David Pearson, “Rep. Heflin is one of a few state lawmakers that went well beyond the call of duty to help rural hospitals and pressed for enhanced health care in rural areas.”

Heflin is credited with working in several areas including pushing for programs to bring more doctors to rural Texas and trying to shelter rural hospitals from regulations that could add unnecessary costs for patients and local taxpayers.

Pearson added “Joe Heflin is someone who fully understands the importance of protecting our limited resources. He knows that when rural hospitals struggle, the community soon starts to feel the effects. Joe truly gets it and he makes it a personal priority to fight for rural hospitals.”

TORCH bestows the award on only a small group of individuals who have sincerely demonstrated their commitment to improving rural health care.

Many rural hospitals in Texas struggle with limited resources and low patient volumes, but without them thousands of rural Texans would not have accessible health care.

“Without enthusiastic support from people like Rep. Heflin, some of our rural hospitals could not survive," said Don McBeath, director of advocacy for TORCH. "We truly appreciate his efforts and his willingness to fight for our rural citizens to have access to care.”

Heflin has one of the most rural districts in the Texas Legislature with 16 rural counties covering more than 15,000 square miles and spanning 243 miles north to south and 183 miles east to west. It spreads from Plainview in the Panhandle, to west of San Angelo, to north of Abilene. The 85th House district has 12 hospitals, eight of which have 25 or less beds.

TORCH is a professional association whose members consist of general acute care hospitals of less than 150 beds, as well as the companies and organizations which provide products and services primarily to rural hospitals. The association was founded 19 years ago as the voice and principal advocate for rural and community hospitals in Texas. TORCH provides leadership in addressing the special issues, needs, and contributions of the state’s rural community hospitals. Headquartered in Austin, TORCH is the only organization devoted exclusively to rural hospitals.