MINUTES 
                                           
                    SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES 
                             Thursday, February 6, 2003 
                           10:00 a.m. or upon adjournment 
                           Capitol Extension, Room E1.016 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule  
         11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Health &  
         Human Services was held on Thursday, February 6, 2003, in the  
         Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas. 
          
                                       ***** 
                                           
         MEMBERS PRESENT:                        MEMBERS ABSENT: 
         Senator Jane Nelson                     None 
         Senator Kyle Janek 
         Senator John Carona 
         Senator Bob Deuell 
         Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr. 
         Senator Jon Lindsay 
         Senator Bill Ratliff 
         Senator Royce West 
         Senator Judith Zaffirini 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         The Chair called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m and the  
         following business was transacted: 
          
         The Chair gave opening remarks and welcomed members of the  
         Committee. 
          
         The Chair called for the roll call. 
          
         A quorum was established at 11:01 a.m. 
          
         The Chair introduced the committee staff and then asked for  
         committee members to introduce their staff. 
          
         The Chair laid out the proposed Committee rules and asked for  
         discussion.  There being none, Senator Zaffirini moved that the  
         rules be adopted.  The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0  
         nays, and 0 present not voting. 
          
         The Chair announced that the Committee will meet on Tuesdays  
         upon adjournment of the Senate and at 9 a.m. on Thursdays when  
         the work load increases. 
          
         The Chair asked the Committee members if anyone had opening  
  
         remarks. 
         The Chair recognized Senator Gallegos. 
          
         Senator Gallegos introduced his staff member to the Committee. 
          
         There being no further comments from the Committee members, the  
         Chair called Commissioners Albert Hawkins, Commissioner, Health  
         and Human Services Commission; Eduardo Sanchez, Commissioner,  
         Texas Department of Health; and Jim Hine, Commissioner, Texas  
         Department of Health, to come forward to testify. 
          
         Commissioner Hawkins introduced himself, stated who he  
         represents for the record and provided written and oral  
         testimony. 
          
         Commissioner Sanchez introduced himself, stated who he  
         represents for the record and provided written and oral  
         testimony. 
          
         Commissioner Hine introduced himself, stated who he represents  
         for the record and provided written and oral testimony. 
          
         The Chair made additional comments and recognized Senator  
         Deuell. 
          
         Senator Deuell provided comments. 
                                                       
         The Chair made closing remarks. 
          
         There being no further business, at 11:55 a.m. the Chair  
         announced that the Committee would stand recessed subject to the  
         call of the Chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         ______________________ 
         Senator Jane Nelson, Chair 
          
         ______________________ 
         Cheri Huddleston, Clerk