Speech #990154819

The border between the United States and Mexico encompasses a region which substantially impacts the social. economic. and health interests of both countries. Rapid and profound changes in the area during recent years have strained the capacity of local residents to respond effectively. Numerous devaluations of the Mexican peso (400 to 1 in 1985 as compared with 20 to 1 in 1980 and 12.5 to 1 in 1970). loss of State revenue due to the drop in world oil prices. the unprecedented influx of illegal immigration through this region. and severe unemployment problems have combined to overwheln the existing health care network with additional deilands for service. According to testinony presented at the 1985 Conference and to hearings hield during the last Texas legislative session. public health problems are serious and widespread. Many families do not have access to preventive or primary health care services. unacceptably large numbers of women and young children are at nutritional risk. and professionally trained personnelparticularly bilingual/bicultural nurses and allied health providersare in short supply.