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e . Randy P. Washington Deputy Commissioner for Health Care Financing Texas Department of Health 1100 West 49th Street Austin, Texas 78756-3199 (512) 458-7111 http://www.tdh.state.tx.us Carol S. Daniels Deputy Commissioner for Programs Patti J. Patterson, M.D. Commissioner Roy L. Hogan Deputy Commissioner for Administration November 19, 1997 Martha Gillett City Secretary P. O. Box 1115 LaPorte, Texas 77571 Re: Vital Statistics Consolidation Dear Ms. Gillett: This letter is in reply to your fax concerning consolidation of your city's vital statistics operation. On August 13, the field representative for your region and I conducted an on- site evaluation of your office. During this time, several areas of need improvement were noted. For example, there was no documentation indicating staff had ever attended a Vital Statistics Conference held for vital registration training. In checking with the Bureau's Record Receiving Program, for your city our records indicate that only: In 1995, only 2 births were registered and 56 deaths were registered In 1996, only 4 births were registered and 64 deaths were registered To date for 1997, only 1 birth was registered and 48 deaths were registered You mentioned that your city secretary duties are in greater demand than the vital registration function. As you are aware, the Texas Health and Safety Code, Sec. 191.023 allows the registration function to be consolidated into the county in which the municipality is located. In Harris county, the county clerk is also a local registrar. In lieu of the low volume of records registered in your city, we ask that you take this opportunity to review your particular situation and determine whether the registration responsibilities are best left where they are. I recommend that your city strongly recommend consolidated this function. An Equal Employment Opportunity Employer