Speech #1000011860

The United StatesMexico border region 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 available local resources to cope effectively. Numerous drastic devaluations of the Mexican peso. loss of State revenue due to the drop in world oil prices. the unprecedented influx of illegal immigration in this region and servere unemployment problems have combined to overwhelm the existing health care network with additional demands for service. According to testimony presented at the 1985 conference and to hearings held by the Texas Legislature in its last session. public health problems in this area 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 personnel are in short supply.