HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

COMMITTEE:   Insurance 

TIME & DATE: 9:00 AM, Wednesday, December 06, 2017 

PLACE:       E2.010 
CHAIR:       Rep. Larry Phillips 

The committee will meet to consider the following interim charges:

· Assess the status of the health insurance market in Texas and opportunities to improve this market through waivers of federal law or other mechanisms. Monitor any changes in federal law that may affect these options.

· Evaluate recent efforts by the Legislature and the Texas Department of Insurance to minimize instances of surprise medical billing and to ensure the adequacy of health insurance networks. Identify instances in which surprise billing most often occurs and ways to decrease its frequency through enhanced transparency or other methods.

· Examine the impacts of changes in prescription drug coverage and drug formularies on patients,particularly those with chronic conditions.

· Evaluate recent efforts in Texas and in other states to enhance transparency regarding the practices of pharmacy benefit managers.

The committee will hear invited testimony only. Those wishing to testify should contact committee staff at (512) 463-0788 no later than November 29, 2017.

NOTICE OF ASSISTANCE AT PUBLIC MEETINGS

Persons with disabilities who plan to attend this meeting and who may need assistance, such as a sign language interpreter, are requested to contact Stacey Nicchio at (512) 463-0850, 72 hours prior to the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made.