MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

9:00 a.m.

Senate Chamber

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on State Affairs was held on Wednesday, September 22, 2010, in the Senate Chamber.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Robert Duncan Senator Bob Deuell Senator Rodney Ellis Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. Senator Leticia Van de Putte		Senator John Carona Senator Troy Fraser Senator Chris Harris Senator Mike Jackson

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:15 a.m.  The following business was transacted: 

 

The committee heard invited and public testimony on the following portion of Interim Charge 2: Assess the effectiveness of pilot programs designed to encourage the use of clinical integration, payments for good outcomes, use of best practices, focus on wellness and prevention, and bundling of costs for episodes of care, and other health care savings initiatives. Make recommendations for expanding the pilot programs for use across all private and state sponsored health care, including the Medicaid program, as a means to improve Texans' health and provide more effective care that allows for assistance for the uninsured. (SB 7, SB 8 and SB 10, 81st Legislature)

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the charge are shown on the attached list.

 

Senator Van de Putte assumed the chair.

 

Senator Duncan resumed the chair.

 

The chair closed public testimony on Interim Charge 2.

 

The committee heard invited and public testimony on Interim Charge 9:  Study the effect Texas hospital billing and collection practices have on the uninsured’s and under-insured’s access to hospital health care services, on the uninsured’s and under-insured’s economic circumstances, and on medical debt recorded as bad debt on hospital books and records. Assess whether hospital billing disparities involving pricing discounts between the uninsured and insured exist and make recommendations for any changes necessary.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the charge are shown on the attached list.

 

Senator Deuell assumed the chair.

 

Senator Duncan resumed the chair.

 

The chair closed public testimony on Interim Charge 9.

 

There being no further business, at 1:05 p.m. Senator Duncan moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Robert Duncan, Chair

 

 

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Erin Fry, Clerk