MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
Subcommittee on Graduate Medical Education
Thursday, April 20, 2000
1:00 p.m.
Capitol Extension, Room E1.036
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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance
Interim Subcommittee on Graduate Medical Education was held on
Thursday, April 20, 2000, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036,
at Austin, Texas.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Mike Moncrief, Chairman Senator Jon Lindsay
Senator John Carona Senator Royce West
Senator Carlos Truan
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The chair called the meeting to order at 1:05 p.m. There being
a quorum present, the following business was transacted:
The Chair made opening remarks and proceeded with the hearing as
follows:
Graduate Medical Education (GME) Issues
Sam Tessen, Executive Director for the Center for Rural Health
Initiatives, provided an overview of rural GME issues.
A panel consisting of the following medical school
representatives provided testimony on medical school efforts to
address rural GME issues:
Dr. Jim Guckian, representing the University of Texas
System;
Dr. Ralph D. Feigin, representing Baylor College of
Medicine;
Dr. Patti Patterson, representing Texas Tech University
Health Sciences Center;
Dr. Nancy Dickey, representing Texas A&M College of
Medicine/Brazos Valley
Family Practice Residency; and
Dr. Deborah Blackwell, representing University of North
Texas Health Science Center.
Teri Flack, representing the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board (THECB) and Robert Price, representing the University of
Texas Health Science Center - San Antonio, provided testimony
on the THECB Health-Related Formula Advisory Committee's
recommendations relating to GME.
Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) Funding
Joe DaSilva, representing the Texas Hospital Association,
Children's Hospital Association of Texas, Texas Conference of
Catholic Health Facilities, Texas Association of Public and
Non-Profit Hospitals, Texas Organization of Rural and Community
Hospitals, and Texas Urban Hospitals and Systems, provided an
update on Medicaid DSH Formula Negotiations.
After Mr. DaSilva answered questions of the committee, Chairman
Moncrief laid out the proposed recommendation for consideration:
For the FY 2001 allocation of Disproportionate Share funds,
the Health and Human Services Commission should proceed
with its proposed rule change, making adjustments to the
proposed rule to mitigate the impact on rural hospitals.
Prior to allocation of subsequent fiscal years'
Disproportionate Share funds, the Commission should make
necessary changes to further emphasize uncompensated
indigent care in the distribution formula. At least every
two years the Commission should evaluate the
Disproportionate Share Hospital Funding Program and make
necessary rule changes to ensure the program's emphasis on
uncompensated care and provision of care in underserved
areas of the state.
Senator Truan moved to adopt Chairman Moncrief's proposed
recommendation. The motion was seconded by Senator Carona.
Without objection, the recommendation was adopted.
There being no further business, at 3:20 p.m. Senator Truan
moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of
the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
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Senator Mike Moncrief, Chair
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Patricia Hicks, Clerk