MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
9:00 AM
Capitol Extension, Room E1.012
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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services was held on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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Senator Lois Kolkhorst, Chair |
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Senator Borris Miles |
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Senator Charles Perry, Vice Chair |
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Senator César Blanco |
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Senator Bob Hall |
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Senator Kelly Hancock |
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Senator Bryan Hughes |
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Senator Morgan LaMantia |
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Senator Kevin Sparks |
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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:02 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:
The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Charles Perry, Senator Bob Hall, Senator Morgan LaMantia, and Senator Bryan Hughes.
The Chair laid out the following interim Committee charges:
ˇ Children's Mental Health: Review care and services currently available to the growing population of Texas children with high acuity mental and behavioral health needs. Make recommendations to improve access to care and services for these children that will support family preservation and prevent them from entering the child welfare system.
The following individuals provided invited testimony (see attached witness list).
ˇ Access to Health Care: Evaluate current access to primary and mental health care. Examine whether regulatory and licensing flexibilities could improve access to care, particularly in medically underserved areas of Texas. Make recommendations, if any, to improve access to care while maintaining patient safety.
The following individuals provided invited testimony (see attached witness list).
ˇ Monitoring: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services passed by the 88th Legislature, as well as relevant agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction. Specifically, make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, or complete implementation of the following:
o Initiatives to reduce Medicaid fraud, waste, and abuse, as well as other cost containment strategies; and Medicaid managed care oversight and accountability.
The following individuals provided invited testimony (see attached witness list).
At 2:00 PM Senator Perry assumed the chair.
At 2:20 PM Senator Kolkhorst resumed the chair.
At 3:30 PM Senator Perry assumed the chair.
At 3:32 PM Senator Kolkhorst resumed the chair.
The following individuals provided public testimony (see attached witness list).
The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.
There being no further business, at 8:37 PM Senator Kolkhorst moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
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Senator Lois Kolkhorst, Chair
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Ryan Heare, Clerk