As the son and brother of doctors, Rep. Branch understands that quality, affordable health care is good for Texans and essential to the future of our state. Texas has a high rate of uninsured citizens and many areas are suffering shortages of health care professionals.

Providing compassionate care to our most vulnerable citizens and helping Texans develop healthier habits are critical to managing a young, surging population with an aging, "boomer" segment. Texas is challenged by a shortage of health care professionals.

Dan’s solutions to address our state’s health care challenges include:

More Medical Residencies in Texas: Dan lead the effort to develop and implement the Graduate Medical Education (GME) formula. GME funding helps reduce the number of locally-trained medical school graduates lost to other states due to a shortage of medical residency positions in Texas.

Increasing Opportunities for Charitable Care: To help more Texans gain access to quality health care, Dan passed legislation to create additional protections against junk lawsuits and an “emeritus license,” to encourage retired physicians to stay engaged and volunteer at local charity health care clinics.

Legislator of the Year: The Texas Medical Association Student Division named Dan their Legislator of the Year for his work to create and fund the GME formula. Since over 75% of medical residents eventually practice within 20 miles of their residency program, increasing the number of slots in Texas is a smart investment for the future of our state.

Creating incentives and other practical solutions can increase the ranks of physicians, para professionals, nurses, and other caregivers. We must continue to improve efficiencies in the health care industry and help more Texans attain better health care coverage.