MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Thursday, October 11, 2001
9:30 a.m.
Senate Chamber
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.18, a organizational meeting and briefing of the Senate
Committee on Health and Human Services was held on Thursday,
October 11, 2001, in the Senate Chamber at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Mike Moncrief, Chairman Senator David Bernsen
Senator John Carona, Vice Chairman Senator Mario Gallegos,
Jr.
Senator Chris Harris
Senator Frank Madla
Senator Jane Nelson
Senator Eliot Shapleigh
Senator David Sibley
*****
The chairman called the meeting to order at 9:45 a.m. There
being a quorum present, the following business was transacted.
The chairman made opening remarks and announced that the purpose
of the meeting was to consider the organization, rules,
procedures and proposed schedule for the Senate Committee on
Health and Human Services and to receive briefings regarding
interim charges issued by Lt. Governor Bill Ratliff. The
chairman recognized Jon Weizenbaum, policy director, who
introduced committee staff.
The chairman laid out the interim rules for the Senate Committee
on Health and Human Services and called for revisions. There
being none, Senator Madla moved their adoption. There being no
objection, it was so ordered.
The chairman stated that he had added the following issues to
the list of interim charges assigned to the committee:
evaluating and improving the effectiveness of the state's public
health response to bioterrorism; improving the state's organ
donation and allocation system; increasing Texas' rates of
immunization against childhood communicable diseases; and,
improving reporting and training regarding the use of restraints
and seclusions in facilities.
Senator Harris suggested the committee consider requesting a
briefing from the Comptroller's Office regarding a possible
budget shortfall in the area of health and human services;
request a briefing from the Governor's Washington D.C. staff
about TANF reauthorization; and to request a briefing from Jose
Montemayor, commissioner, Texas Department of Insurance,
regarding an update on nursing home closures and the status of
the insurance market in response to legislation passed during
the 77th Legislative Session.
The chairman called the following person to provide a briefing
regarding Texas Health and Human Services Commission issues:
Don Gilbert, commissioner, Texas Health and Human Services
Commission, Austin, Texas.
The chairman called the following person to provide a briefing
regarding the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental
Retardation and mental health issues:
Karen Hale, commissioner, Texas Department of Mental Health
and Mental Retardation, Austin, Texas.
The chairman called the following persons to provide a briefing
regarding welfare issues:
Jim Hine, commissioner, Texas Department of Human Services,
Austin, Texas.
Larry Temple, director, Office of Welfare Initiatives,
Texas Workforce Commission, Austin, Texas.
The chairman called the following persons to provide a briefing
on social security disability issues:
Max Arrell, commissioner, Texas Rehabilitation Commission,
Austin, Texas.
Mary Wolfe, deputy commissioner, Texas Rehabilitation
Commission, Austin, Texas.
Dave Ward, deputy commissioner, Texas Rehabilitation
Commission, Austin, Texas.
The chairman called the following person to provide a briefing
on Texas Department of Health issues, organ allocations,
bioterrorism and immunizations:
Dr. Charles Bell, executive deputy commissioner, Texas
Department of Health, Austin, Texas.
The chairman called the following persons to provide a briefing
on bioterrorism issues:
Michael Mastrangelo, director, Bioterrorism Response
Support, Texas Department of Health, Austin, Texas.
Dennis Perrotta, state epidemiologist, Texas Department of
Health, Austin, Texas.
Sam Wilson, director, Emergency Preparedness Division,
Texas Department of Health, Austin, Texas.
The chairman called the following person to provide a briefing
regarding immunization issues:
Sharilyn K. Stanley, associate commissioner, Texas
Department of Health, Austin, Texas.
The chairman called the following person to provide a briefing
regarding Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services
issues:
Drew Thigpen, interim executive director, Texas Department
of Protective and Regulatory Services, Austin, Texas.
With no other business to come before the committee and upon a
motion by Senator Nelson, the chairman recessed the committee at
1:06 p.m. There being no objection, it was so ordered.
___________________________________
Senator Mike Moncrief, chairman
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Scott Caffey, committee clerk