The Texas State Senate – 79th Senate Committee on Health and Human Services

Senate Committee on Health and Human Services

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» Video/Audio · Interim Charges · Reports

NOTE: This is archived committee information from the 79th Legislative Session.

Committee Information

CHAIR
Jane Nelson

VICE-CHAIR
Bob Deuell

MEMBERS
Ken Armbrister
John Carona
Mario Gallegos, Jr
Kyle Janek
Jon Lindsay
Royce West
Judith Zaffirini

CLERK:
Tiffany Arrington

TEL:
(512) 463-0360

LOCATION:
Sam Houston Building, 420

Schedule, Minutes, Witness List and Bills Referred to Committee (via TLO)

Video/Audio — Archives

79th Session Interim

November 14, 2006
October 17, 2006 - joint hearing w/ State Affairs
September 19, 2006
August 23, 2006 - regular business
August 23, 2006 - joint hearing w/ State Affairs
May 16, 2006
March 1, 2006

79th First Called Session

July 13, 2005

79th Regular Session

May 20, 2005
May 19, 2005 (Part I - Part II)
May 18, 2005
May 17, 2005 (Part I - Part II)
May 12, 2005
May 6, 2005
May 3, 2005 (Part I, Part II)
April 26, 2005 (Part I, Part II)
April 21, 2005
April 19, 2005 (Part I, Part II)
April 12, 2005 (Part I, Part II)
April 5, 2005
March 29, 2005 (Part I, Part II)
March 22, 2005 (Part I, Part II)
March 15, 2005 (Part I, Part II)
March 8, 2005 (Part I, Part II)
March 1, 2005
February 22, 2005 (Part I, Part II)
February 15, 2005
February 10, 2005 (Part I, Part II)
February 8, 2005 (Part I, Part II)
February 3, 2005 (Part I, Part II)
February 1, 2005

Reports

The following reports are available for download:

Senate Health and Human Services Committee Interim Report to the 80th Legislature (3.06 MB, PDF format)
Senate Committees on Health & Human Services and State Affairs Joint Interim Report to the 80th Legislature (2.98 MB, PDF format)

Interim Charges

Study and make recommendations for improving delivery of Texas' mental health services; consider local and regional delivery systems including access to care, cost effectiveness, choice and competition, and quality of care.
Monitor state and federal Medicaid reform proposals, including their impact on the Medicaid program in Texas, as well as cost-containment measures in other states, and make recommendations for legislative action, as appropriate.
Study and make recommendations relating to filling shortages in the health care workforce and improving medical educational services. Evaluate the state's use of the National Health Service Corps and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) to address the needs of the Medicaid/Medicare and underinsured populations.
Examine the strategies used by other states that have had success with FQHCs and make recommendations for increasing the number of FQHCs in Texas.
Study and make recommendations relating to policy issues surrounding the use of emerging skin cell research, and other technologies.
Study and make recommendations for improving vaccination rates and ensuring an adequate vaccination supply in the state. Include an analysis of vaccine manufacturing and purchasing policies.
Evaluate and make recommendations relating to the creation of a comprehensive and statewide nutrition and physical activity plan to address obesity and chronic diseases. Examine options for funding components of such a plan.
Monitor the implementation of S.B. 6, 79th Legislature, Regular Session, relating to Child and Adult Protective Services. Study and make recommendations for development and enhancements to protocols for joint investigations by child protective service workers and law enforcement and for interviews with children for disclosure of abuse.
Study the current use of the 2-1-1 network to provide access to information on federal, state, and local resources. Examine and make recommendations on strategies that improve the coordination of service information and expand the availability of information on services currently provided by community and faith-based organizations.
Monitor the implementation of H.B. 2292, 78th Legislature, Regular Session, relating to health and human services. Focus on implementation of service coordination and consolidation efforts to assess the impact on service quality, while reducing costs.

Joint Charges with State Affairs Committee:

Examine and make recommendations, if necessary, regarding the state's role in regulating pharmacy benefit managers in the interest of consumer protection. Examine alternative methods of dispensing maintenance drugs, including mail service and retail pharmacies, and provide an analysis of the state’s role in protecting consumers.
Study how to reduce dependence on Medicaid for the provision of long term care by increasing use of long-term care insurance and health savings accounts. Include a study of options for increasing the use of advance planning tools, such as health care power of attorney and living wills, to ensure more effective decision-making regarding critical end-of-life and other health care decisions. Finally, study the feasibility of implementing innovative models of nursing facility services that encourage autonomy, choice and dignity of residents.
Study the current laws/policies relating to forensic patients in our State Hospitals and Community Mental Health Organizations. Include analysis of and recommendations relating to pre- and post-trial forensic patients, competency laws and procedures, current treatment policies and guidelines, cost and placement considerations for creating specialty units for forensic patients, judicial discretion and medical best practices.