McALLEN, RGV – A top political action committee based in the Rio Grande Valley says it has no affiliation to a fundraising group that is working to get a healthcare district established in Hidalgo County.
Prisylla Ann Jasso, executive director of Border Health PAC, issued a statement late Thursday titled, Inaccurate Statements Regarding Border Health PAC.
“Border Health PAC has absolutely no affiliation with, has not contributed to, nor has ever worked in conjunction with Healthy Hidalgo Campaign Committee, the committee formed to support the creation of a hospital district,” Jasso wrote.
The creation of a hospital district in Hidalgo County has been one of the issues used by the Pharr First slate of candidates to criticize Dr. Ambrosio “Amos” Hernandez, who is running for mayor of Pharr. Hernandez, who heads the Pharr Forward slate of candidates in this year’s city elections, is on the board of Doctors Hospital at Renaissance and chairs the Border Health PAC.
Hernandez has strongly disputed claims by Pharr First that he has contributed to the Healthy Hidalgo Campaign Committee. The committee was formed in order to raise funds and awareness ahead of last November’s referendum on a Hidalgo County hospital district. The proposal to set up such a district was defeated by a narrow margin.
Here is the Border Health PAC statement in full:
May 7, 2015
Letter to the Editor
Rio Grande Guardian
RE: Inaccurate Statements Regarding Border Health PAC
Dear Editor:
The Border Health Political Action Committee (BHPAC) was established in an effort to promote the issues of the medical profession along the border of the State of Texas. BHPAC supports the nomination and election of candidates that seek, through responsible means, to further the mission, goals, and objectives of the medical health profession.
We support candidates and initiatives that advance access to quality care in our community and across South Texas. Our families deserve the best care possible, right here, in our own backyard.
Border Health PAC has absolutely no affiliation with, has not contributed to, nor has ever worked in conjunction with Healthy Hidalgo Campaign Committee, the committee formed to support the creation of a hospital district.
While Border Health PAC did not directly, nor indirectly, contribute to the fall campaign in support of the creation of a hospital district, our Board of Directors, along with our members strongly support the efforts of our local delegation to pass legislation that protects our taxpayers if a healthcare district is created by voters of Hidalgo County. The voters will ultimately decide whether or not to create a healthcare district to maximize the federal funding our community needs to assist our own indigent seniors and children, as well as to support UTRGV School of Medicine in their instruction of our future physicians.
Border Health PAC goes above and beyond compliance standards, in accordance with state and federal rules and regulations. We are, and always will be committed to advocating for the benefit of South Texas.
Respectfully,
Prisylla Ann Jasso
Executive Director
