Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
NOTE: This is archived committee information from the 84th Legislative Session.
Committee Information
CHAIR
Charles Schwertner
VICE-CHAIR
Lois Kolkhorst
MEMBERS
Donna Campbell
Craig Estes
Charles Perry
José RodrÃguez
Van Taylor
Carlos Uresti
Judith Zaffirini
CLERK:
Jordan Dixon
TEL:
(512) 463-0360
LOCATION:
Sam Houston Building, 420
Video/Audio — Archives
84th Session Interim
- September 13, 2016
- June 16, 2016 — Due to technical difficulties with the Capitol TV system, there is a brief interruption at 34m:03s.
- May 17, 2016
- April 21, 2016
- April 20, 2016
- February 18, 2016
- July 29, 2015
84th Regular Session
- May 22, 2015 — Audio only.
- May 21, 2015
- May 20, 2015 (Part I, Part II)
- May 19, 2015
- May 18, 2015 (Part I, Part II)
- May 14, 2015
- May 13, 2015
- May 6, 2015
- May 4, 2015 — audio only.
- April 29, 2015 (Part I, Part II)
- April 22, 2015
- April 15, 2015
- April 8, 2015
- April 6, 2015
- April 1, 2015 (Part I, Part II) — Part II is audio only.
- March 30, 2015
- March 25, 2015 (Part I, Part II) — Part II is audio only, due to technical difficulties.
- March 23, 2015 (Part I, Part II)
- March 18, 2015 (Part I, Part II)
- March 4, 2015 (Part I, Part II)
- February 25, 2015
- February 11, 2015
- February 4, 2015 — AUDIO DIFFICULTIES: Due to technical difficulties with Senate Chamber's audio system, the audio level is very low for about 20 minutes.
Hearing Presentations
September 13, 2016
Interim Charge #4
- Ardas Khalsa, Deputy Medicaid CHIP Director, Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)
- Daniel Deslatte, UT Health Northeast, University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler
- Danette Castle, Executive Director, Texas Council of Community Centers
- John Hawkins, Texas Hospital Association (THA)
- Don McBeath, Director of Government Relations, Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals (TORCH)
Interim Charge #9
- H.L. Whitman, Jr., Commissioner, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS)
- Lesley French, Associate Commissioner, Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)
- Stuart W. Bowen, Jr., Inspector General, Texas Health and Human Services Commission (OIG-HHSC)
- Jamie Dudensing, CEO, Texas Association of Health Plans (TAHP)
June 16, 2016
Interim Charge: "Inpatient Reform"
Interim Charge: "Diversion and Capacity"
- Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
- April Zamora, TCOOMMI
- Dr. Hicks, Harris County Jail Diversion
- Lee Johnson, Texas Council of Community Centers
- Stephen Glazier, Harris County Psychiatric Center (HCPC)
- Dr. Keller, The Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute
Interim Charge: "Telemedicine"
April 21, 2016
Interim Charge: "Refugee Resettlement Program"
April 20, 2016
Interim Charge: "Higher-Acuity Children"
- ACH Child and Family Services
- Rees-Jones Center for Foster Care Excellence
- STAR Health / Superior Healthplan
- Texas Alliance of Child & Family Services
- Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS)
- The Children's Shelter
- The Stephen Group
- Travis County Collaborative For Children (TCCC)
Interim Charge: "Strengthening Adoptions"
- Cook Children's Health Care System
- DePelchin Children's Center
- TAPESTRY Adoption & Foster Care Ministry
- Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS)
Interim Charge: "Reducing Recurrence"
- Children's Advocacy Centers of Texas (FY16 member CAC map)
- Children's Advocacy Centers of Texas (FY16 member CAC logos)
- Children's Advocacy Centers of Texas (CAC Model sheet)
- Children's Advocacy Centers of Texas (How CACs work flowchart)
- Children's Advocacy Centers of Texas (Multi-disciplinary Team Enhancement Program)
- Cook Children's Health Care System
- Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS)
- TexProtects, The Texas Association for the Protection of Children
February 18, 2016
Interim Charge: "Healthy Aging"
- Central Texas Council of Governments (CTCOG)
- Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS)
- Department of State Health Services
- Tarrant County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC)
Interim Charge: "Long-Term Care"
- AARP
- Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS)
- LeadingAge of Texas
- Providers Alliance For Community Services of Texas (PACSTX)
- Private Providers Association of Texas
- Texas Association for Home Care and Hospice (TAHCH)
- Texas Association of Health Plans (TAHP)
- Texas Assisted Living Association (TALA)
- Texas Council of Community Centers
- Texas Health Care Association (THCA)
- The Arc of Texas
Interim Charge: "Wrongful Birth"
Interim Charges
- Examine and make recommendations on the use of fetal tissue provided for research purposes and how related laws governing abortion procedures are interpreted and enforced.
- Examine the cause of action known as "wrongful birth." The study should examine
- its history in Texas,
- its effect on the practice of medicine, and
- its effect on children with disabilities and their families. Examine related measures proposed or passed in other states.
- Examine the current process that Child Protective Services uses to track recurrence of child abuse and neglect, and make recommendations to improve data tracking and the use of that data to assist in preventing recurrence. The study should examine the differences in recurrence among families who received services, families who received no services and had their cases closed, and families who had their children removed from the home.
- Study the increase in higher acuity children with trauma and mental illness in the state foster care system, and recommend ways to ensure children have timely access to appropriate treatment and placement options.
- Examine the frequency, causes, and effects of disrupted foster care adoptions and make recommendations to improve the long-term success of adoptive placements. Study and make recommendations on ways to ensure a smooth transition for foster care children who are exiting the system.
- Study and make recommendations on innovative methods and best practices to promote healthy aging for the state's population and reduce chronic medical and behavioral health conditions. Identify opportunities for improved collaboration to promote healthy aging in the health and human services system at the state, regional and local levels.
- Examine and recommend ways to improve quality and oversight in long-term care settings, including nursing homes and ICF/HCS programs. Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services during the 84th Regular Session related to the revocation of nursing home licenses for repeated serious violations.
- Study the impact of the Section 1115 Texas Healthcare Transformation and Quality Improvement Program Waiver on improving health outcomes, reducing costs, and providing access to health care for the uninsured, and monitor the renewal process of the waiver. Explore other mechanisms and make recommendations to control costs and increase quality and efficiency in the Medicaid program, including the pursuit of a block grant or a Section 1332 Medicaid State Innovation Waiver for the existing Medicaid program.
- Study and make recommendations on establishing collaborative partnerships between state-owned mental health hospitals and university health science centers to improve inpatient state mental health services, maximize the state mental health workforce, and reduce healthcare costs.
- Study the impact of recent efforts by the legislature to divert individuals with serious mental illness from criminal justice settings and prevent recidivism. Study and make recommendations to address the state's ongoing need for inpatient forensic capacity, including the impact of expanding community inpatient psychiatric beds.
- Study and make recommendations on the appropriate use, scope and application of tele-monitoring and telemedicine services to improve management and outcomes for adults and children with complex medical needs and for persons confined in correctional facilities. Examine barriers to implementation of these services and any impact on access to health care services in rural areas of the state.
- Study the impact to the state of the increasing number of refugees relocating to Texas, including the range of health and human services provided. Examine the authority of the state to reduce its burden under the Refugee Resettlement Program, and any state-funded services.
- Monitor the implementation of legislation and riders related to health and human services that were considered by the 84th Legislature, Regular Session and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation, including but not limited to:
- The impact of changes made by the Department of Family and Protective Services, Child Protective Services on child safety, workforce retention, prevention, and permanency;
- Initiatives to reduce Medicaid fraud, waste and abuse, and other cost containment strategies, including examining the processes and procedures used by managed care organizations to address Medicaid fraud, waste and abuse; and
- The consolidation and expansion of women's health programs at the Health and Human Services Commission.
