Social responsibility, politics, and fiscal viability: strategic issues in the development of a regional health care system for children in South Texas.

A case study of the proposed development of a regional children's health care system in South Texas is described. Strategic plans for the system are overviewed and the community response to plans are presented. The political, social responsibility and fiscal viability issues raised are reviewed and the research literature base relevant to the health care needs of a key (Hispanic) market is summarized.