MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE (INTERIM)
Thursday, June 25, 1998
9:30 am
E1.030
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.11, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Children's
Health Insurance (Interim) was held on Thursday, June 25, 1998
in E1.030, at Austin, Texas.
Note: The public hearing was a joint hearing of the Senate
Interim Committee on Children's Health Insurance, the House
Committee on Public Health and the House Committee on
Appropriations. The following reflects only information
relating to the Senate committee. Minutes for the House
committees will be provided by the respective committee
staffs.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Mike Moncrief, Chair None
Senator Bill Ratliff
Senator Eliot Shapleigh
*****
The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:45 am. There being
a quorum present, the following business was transacted.
The following members arrived after the roll was called:
Senator Bill Ratliff.
The Chair made opening remarks, welcomed invited speakers,
state agency staff and the public. The Chair announced that
the purpose of the hearing was to obtain information relating
to the background and plans for the implementation of the
Texas Children's Health Insurance Program (hereafter CHIP)
authorized by the Federal Balanced Budget Act of 1997 and
Title XXI of the Social Security Act.
The Chair then called on Commissioner Don Gilbert of the
Texas Health & Human Services Commission, who briefed the
Committee regarding approval of the Phase I plan and provided
a status report on the development of the Phase II plan. The
Commissioner then responded to questions from members.
The Chair called the Legislative Budget Board (hereafter LBB)
staff, Mr. Trey Berndt and Ms. Maureen McCormack, to brief
the Committee on issues relating to benefits package options
authorized under the CHIP program. The LBB staff responded to
questions by Committee Members.
The Chair then called Rhonda Myron, representing the Texas
Department of Insurance, to brief the Committee on the legal
requirements relating to mandated benefits under state law.
Trey Berndt of the LBB briefed the Committee on federal law
and agency guidance and regulations relating to benefits. The
Chair thanked and dismissed the witnesses.
The Chair then called Ms. Anita Zinnecker of the LBB staff,
to make a presentation regarding the current state services
provided for special needs children in Texas. Ms. Zinnecker
responded to questions from the Committee Members. The Chair
thanked and dismissed the witness.
The Chair called Ms. Debbie Berndt, representing the Texas
Department of Mental Health & Mental Retardation, to discuss
the issue of benefits conversion as it relates to special
needs children. Ms. Berndt responded to Members' questions.
The Chair thanked and dismissed the witnesses.
The Chair called the first panel: Ms. Tyrette Hamilton,
representing the Texas Healthy Kids Corporation; Ms. Sheila
Beckett, representing the Texas Employees Retirement System;
and, Ms. Linda Wertz, the Texas Medicaid Director. The panel
discussed various issues relating to benefits packages, and
responded to Members' questions. The Chair thanked the panel
and dismissed the witnesses.
The Chair recessed the Committee at 11:50 a.m.
The Chair reconvened the hearing at 1:40 p.m.
The Chair called the second panel representing providers:
Dr. Jane Rider, representing the Texas Medical Association,
the Texas Pediatric Society, and the Texas Association of
Family Physicians; Dr. Ronald Johnson, representing the Texas
Dental Association; Dr. Charlotte Stelly-Seitz, representing
the Texas Medical Association, Texas Pediatric Society, and
the Texas Association of Family Physicians; Dr. Richard
Wayne, representing Santa Rosa Children's Hospital and the
Texas Children's Hospital Association; Dr. Thomas Van Hoose,
representing the Texas Psychological Association; and Mr. Jose
Camacho, representing the Texas Association of Community
Health Clinics. The panel made presentations relating to
necessary health care benefits, and responded to Members'
questions. The Chair thanked the panel and dismissed the
witnesses.
The Chair then called the panel representing consumers and
advocates: Mr. Gary Wood, representing the Texas Mental
Health Association; Mr. Jonas Schwartz, representing United
Cerebral Palsy of Texas; and Ms. Anne Dunkelberg, representing
the Center for Public Policy Priorities. The panel made
presentations relating to necessary health care benefits, and
responded to Members' questions. The Chair thanked and
dismissed the witnesses.
The Chair called a panel representing the insurance industry
to further discuss matters related to benefits. The panel
members were: Ms. Mary McGuire, representing the Texas
Universities Health Plan and the managed care industry; and,
Mr. Don Hall, representing Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
Texas. The panel testified and responded to questions. The
Chair thanked and dismissed the panel.
The Chair made closing comments.
At 3:50 p.m., Senator Moncrief, the Chair, announced that the
Committee would stand recessed subject to call of the Chair.
Without objection, it was so ordered.
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Senator Mike Moncrief, Chair
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Gina Martin, Clerk