MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON WORKERS' COMPENSATION, SELECT INTERIM
Thursday, March 25, 2004
10:00 a.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 Workers'
Compensation, Select Interim was held on Thursday, March 25,
2004, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Todd Staples Senator Juan Hinojosa
Senator John Carona
Senator Robert Duncan
Senator Craig Estes
Senator Kyle Janek
Senator Frank Madla
Senator Jane Nelson
Senator Royce West
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The chair called the meeting to order at 10:08 a.m. There being
a quorum present, the following business was transacted:
The Chairman made opening remarks and announced the purpose of
the meeting was to consider and receive testimony on interim
charges 4 & 5 as issued by Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst.
Interim charge #4: "Study the costs and benefits of other
health system cost-containment strategies as they relate to
medical, therapeutic, and pharmaceutical care, including but not
limited to, doctor selection, deductibles, co-payments,
preauthorization of services, and return-to-work programs."
Committee interim charge #5: " Conduct a cost-benefit analysis,
to the extent possible,
comparing the Texas workers' compensation system to systems
operating in other states. Make recommendations to improve the
quality of care for injured workers, reduce fraud and
inefficiencies, reduce overall claim costs, and streamline the
administration of the system. Recommendations should address
data exchange, advisory groups and review panels, dispute
resolution, enforcement issues, paperwork reduction, and billing
and administrative efficiencies.
The Chairman asked adoption of the February 26th hearing
minutes, Senator Nelson moves adoption, without objection they
are adopted. At 10:12 the Chairman lays out interim
charges 4 & 5 jointly and begins to take testimony, invited
followed by public testimony is taken on both
charges.
Senator West arrives at 10:18 a.m.
At 11:15 a.m. Senator Nelson assumed the chair.
At 11:20 a.m. Senator Staples resumed the chair.
At 11:59 a.m. the committee recessed until 12:20 p.m; without
objection, it was so ordered.
At 11:23 a.m. the committee reconvened and resumed testimony on interim
charges 4 & 5.
At 1:50 p.m. Senator West assumed the chair.
At 1:54 p.m. Senator Staples resumed the chair.
At 3:05 p.m. Senator Estes assumed the chair.
At 3:08 p.m. Senator Staples resumed the chair.
At 3:48 p.m. Chairman Staples asked if any others wish to testify, with
none being present, both charges 4 & 5 are left open.
The Chairman announced the next tentative hearing date to be April 29, 2004.
With no other business before the committee, the chairman recessed the
committee at 3:48 p.m., subject to the call of the chairman.
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Senator Todd Staples, Chairman
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Patricia Gajda, Committee Clerk