The Texas State Senate News
AUSTIN - With the holidays rapidly approaching, Senate business marches on with two committee meetings held at the State Capitol on Monday, December 8.
met to discuss the implementations of several bills and hear panel and public testimony on various issues relating to insurance. Committee members include Senators Rodney Ellis of Houston, Tom Haywood of Wichita Falls, Frank Madla of San Antonio, Steve Odgen of Bryan, Eliot Shapleigh of El Paso, and Florence Shapiro of Plano.
Those testifying in front of the committee were representatives of the Texas Department of Insurance and the Office of the Attorney General. The members were updated on issues relating to Aetna Health Plans, policy form bills, and open record requests. A panel including representatives from the Public Insurance Counsel, Consumers Union, State Farm, the Farmers Insurance Group as well as a Freedom of Information Act specialist discussed the disclosure of public information relating to insurance.
Also meeting on Monday was the Texas Integrated Enrollment and Services (TIES) Joint Legislative Oversight Committee. The committee is chaired by Senate Finance Chair, Bill Ratliff of Mount Pleasant, and is responsible for ensuring the proper implementation of House Bill 2777. Those Senators serving on the joint committee are John Carona of Dallas and Judith Zaffirini of Laredo.
House Bill 2777 requires the Health and Human Services Commission, along with several other state departments and agencies, to develop a comprehensive plan that will create a system of integration of health, human and employment services. Representatives from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission briefed the members on the current status and future time lines of the TIES project. Members also heard public testimony from agencies and department that enforce current TIES projects.
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