MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON PROMPT PAYMENT OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS
Thursday, October 3, 2002
9:00 a.m.
University of Texas - Pan American
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Prompt
Payment of Health Care Providers was held on Thursday, October
3, 2002, at the University of Texas - Pan American in Edinburg.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Jane Nelson Senator John Carona
Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Mario Gallegos,
Jr.
Senator Judith Zaffirini
*****
The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:15 a.m. The
following business was transacted.
The Chair made opening remarks thanking the University of Texas
- Pan American in Edinburg for hosting the hearing and announced
that the purposed of this hearing was to solicit and consider
public testimony on the committee charge relating to medical
malpractice liability insurance issued by Lieutenant Governor
Bill Ratliff: to evaluate the effectiveness of existing state
law and agency rules relating to the current medical
professional liability system; and to assess the causes of
rising malpractice insurance rates in Texas, including the
impact of medical malpractice lawsuits, and their impact on
access to health care.
The Chair recognized Dr. Miguel Nevarez, President of the
University of Texas - Pan American, who gave welcoming remarks
to the Committee.
The Chair welcomed Representative Juan Hinojosa to the hearing.
The Chair invited Dr. Richard Anderson, Chairman of the Board of
Governors, The Doctors Group to testify before the committee on
California's Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA).
Dr. Richard Anderson provided a power point presentation and
responded to questions by members of the Committee.
There being no further questions for this witness, the Chair
invited David Durden, Associate Commissioner, Governmental
Relations, of the Texas Department of Insurance to brief the
Committee on the department's continuing work in regard to both
of the committee's charges.
David Durden provided written and oral testimony and responded
to questions by members of the Committee.
There being no further questions for this witness, the Chair
invited Louis Garcia, Hospital Administrator, McAllen Medical
Center; Kathy Julia, Attorney, Law Offices of Preston
Henrichson; and Carlos Cardenas, M.D., South Texas
Gastroenterology & Associates to discuss matters relating to
rising malpractice insurance rates in South Texas and their
impact on access to health care.
The invited witnesses provided oral testimony and responded to
questions by members of the Committee.
There being no further questions for these witnesses, the Chair
opened the hearing to public testimony.
Witnesses testifying are shown on the attached list.
There being no further business, at 1:35 p.m. Senator Nelson
moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of
the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
______________________
Senator Jane Nelson, Chair
______________________
Cheri Huddleston, Clerk