SENATE
                          NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING


COMMITTEE: Workers' Compensation, Select Interim

TIME & DATE: 10:00AM, Thursday, March 25, 2004

PLACE: E1.036 - Finance Com. Rm.

CHAIR: Senator Todd Staples

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The Senate Select Interim Committee on Workers' Compensation will meet on
Thursday, March 25 at 10 a.m. in E1.036.  The committee will consider
the following:

  I. Call to Order
 II. Roll Call
III. Opening Remarks
 IV. Adoption of Minutes from February 26, 2004 Hearing
  V. Invited Testimony and Public Testimony on the following charges:

4.  Survey 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.

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.

 VI.  Other Business
VII.  Adjourn/Recess

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