2012 Texas Legislative HearingsTexas Lobby Group NewsTexas Lobbyists

Texas Lobbyist News: 2012 Legislative Hearings

The following public information is available at the Texas Legislature Website.

The Texas Lobby Group is Posting this for Texas Lobbyists, Government Consultants, and other Interested Parties.

Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
May 8, 2012 – 09:00 AM
State Capitol Bldg., Senate Chamber, Austin

The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services will take up the following charges: Charge #2 – Evaluate the implementation of cost-containment strategies across the Health and Human Services Enterprise to determine if and how each strategy can be expanded upon to achieve additional savings next biennium. The evaluation should include but is not limited to: the expansion of managed care, co -pays in Medicaid, electronic visit verification, and independent assessments for long-term care services. The evaluation should also consider new cost-containment strategies that will increase efficiencies and reduce costs. This evaluation should include but not be limited to: Medicaid, Early Childhood Intervention Services, and immunizations. Charge #9 (bullet one) – Monitor implementation of initiatives aimed at improving health care quality and efficiency in Texas, including: the transition of Medicaid and the CHIP to quality- based payments, establishment of the Texas Institute of Health Care Quality and Efficiency, implementation of the Health Care Collaborative certificate, patient-centered medical home for high-cost populations, development and use of potentially preventable event outcome measures, and reduction of health care -associated infections. Include recommendations on how to improve and build upon these initiatives, including improving birth outcomes and reducing infant and maternal mortality. Public testimony will be limited to 3 minutes. If submitting written testimony, please provide 20 copies with your name on each.

Additional Information Contact: Sen. Jane Nelson, 512/463-0112

 Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
May 9, 2012 – 09:00 AM
State Capitol Bldg., Senate Chamber, Austin

The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services will take up the following charge: Charge #8 – Review the state’s public mental health system and make recommendations to improve access, service utilization, patient outcomes and system efficiencies. Study current service delivery models for outpatient and inpatient care, funding levels, financing methodologies, services provided, and available community-based alternatives to hospitalization. The review should look to other states for best practices or models that may be successful in Texas. The study shall also review and recommend “best value” practices that the state’s public mental health system may implement to maximize the use of federal, state, and local funds. Public testimony will be limited to 3 minutes. If submitting written testimony, please provide 20 copies with your name on each.

Additional Information Contact: Sen. Jane Nelson. 512/463-0112