Healthy Families
Rep. Donna Howard knows that healthy families are critical to the well-being, productivity and overall success of our communities and our state. As a former nurse and health educator, she’s also well aware of the challenges to accessing quality, affordable health care. That’s why she’s fought to keep our federal tax dollars in Texas, where they can be put to use expanding coverage of our uninsured population. Donna has also worked on a number of bills to improve the state’s shortage of nurses, often the first point of healthcare contact.
With COVID-19 concerns growing, Donna is committed to preserving the safety and wellbeing of her constituents. She has been an advocate for the safe reopening of regional businesses and worked to remind local school districts to include school nurses in their COVID-19 planning. She is dedicated to sharing the most up-to-date, evidence-based information regarding the pandemic so that informed policies are put in place that ensures the safety of all Texans.
What Donna’s Been Doing:
Served on the Austin Chamber of Commerce’s Reopening Central Texas Task Force.
Passed legislation allowing Austin Community College and other community colleges to create a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
Has been a staunch supporter and advocate of Graduate Medical Education residency funding, which helps keep Texas-educated doctors in the state.
Passed bills to include school nurses in concussion protocols for school sports.
Fighting for AISD school nurses to be included in the salary increases in HB 3.
Passed a bill allowing Central Health to directly hire doctors.
Passed legislation requiring better communication from higher education institutions on their epinephrine auto-injector policy.
Established a dedicated funding source for innovative nursing education grants.
Previously worked on legislation that would have directed the Texas Workforce Commission to modernize the state's Work in Texas website and consider cloud computing - two actions that would have been helpful with the state’s crush of unemployment requests this Spring.
