Austin Maps Out 20-Year Health & Hospital Future
- Austin determined an urgent need for a comprehensive survey of its community health needs and medical facilities.
- The extensive survey was designed to project healthcare requirements for a 20-year period starting in 1965, encompassing all Austin hospitals, medical and nursing schools, and acknowledging Central Texas's reliance on Austin's medical services.
- Despite some debate over cost, the city approved a budget of up to $30,000 to contract with a recommended firm to conduct this critical long-range health assessment.
Full Transcript
) = CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS Special Meeting July 30, 1963 COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL The Special Meeting was called to order with Mayor Palmer presiding. Roll Call: Present: Absent: Councilmen LaRue, Long, Shanks, White, Mayor Palmer None The Mayor announced it was time for the Special Meeting concerning the community health needs survey. He then stated that the survey was a necessity which could no longer be delayed. The survey would encompass all Austin hospitals, not just the city-operated Brackenridge Hospital, and would cover every phase of medical needs, including such operations as nursing and medical schools. The survey would be designed to project the community health needs over a 20-year period beginning in 1965. It would also take into consideration the fact that many neighboring cities in Central. Texas were depending on Austin medical facilities for their health and welfare. Tom Brown, President of the Community Council, read a report of a study which the previous City Council had asked its board to make. The Community Council report stated a committee had interviewed six firms in their final selection of the firm to make the study. Brown then named a firm which the committee had recommended after considering all phases of the interviews. Estimates of the cost of the survey were made to the Community Council by all six firms. However, the selection committee recommended a firm with a higher priced survey estimate than another firm. Councilman LaRue opposed the recommendation of the Community Council stating that the price of the survey was too high. City Manager Bill Williams as well as a number of physicians and hospital authorities did not favor the firm that LaRue wished to contract with. After some discussion, Councilman Shanks moved the Council authorize the allocation of a sum that would not exceed $30,000 for the purpose of contracting with the firm recommended by the Community Council to conduct a community health needs survey. The motion, seconded by Councilman Long, carried by the following vote: July 30, 1963 CITY OF AUSTIN. TEXAS Ayes: Councilmen Long, Shanks, Mayor Palmer Noes: Councilmen LaRue, White The Council then adjourned. ATTEST: City Clerk ADJOURNMENT APPROVED: Mayor