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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING |
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COMMITTEE: Insurance TIME & DATE: 9:00 AM, Thursday, September 5, 2024 PLACE: E2.014 |
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The Committee on Insurance will meet for a public hearing to hear from invited testimony only on the following subjects:
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Examine and evaluate the effects of current regulations on the contractual relationships between pharmacists, pharmacies, health benefit plan issuers, and pharmacy benefit managers(PBMs). Assess the effectiveness of existing laws in promoting transparency and fairness in drug pricing and out-of-pocket expenses for consumers. Study how PBM rebates function within the prescription drug market. Study programs which aim to increase transparency,improve quality of care for patients, and support public policy decisions. Analyze the effects of prohibiting certain contractual provisions that limit the ability of insurers to guide patients toward specific healthcare providers.
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Examine the impact of current economic challenges on the escalating cost of health insurance premiums and options available to Texans in the small business and individual health insurance markets. Investigate solutions including the availability of a small business health options program and ways Texas can better manage and control administration of and the rising costs in our health insurance market.
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Review the current practices and impacts of prior authorization in the healthcare system in Texas.
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Review the impact of healthcare mandates on healthcare providers, insurers, and patients.
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Review the current state of network adequacy in Texas, focusing on the availability and accessibility of healthcare providers within health insurance networks.
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Review the use of current practices and policies regarding the imposition of hospital facility fees.
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Review the use of artificial intelligence(AI) in the healthcare and health insurance industry. Assess current applications of AI in clinical settings and for tasks such as claims processing, fraud detection, and for personalized insurance plans. Study how AI could improve existing practices relating to risk assessment, underwriting, and customer service. Study ethical and legal concerns associated with AI, including data privacy, algorithmic bias, and transparency. Review the regulatory and oversight mechanisms needed to ensure responsible use of AI in the healthcare and health insurance industry.
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Electronic public comments may be submitted for:
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Transparency in healthcare and health insurance |
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State-based health exchange |
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Prior authorization in Texas |
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Healthcare mandate review |
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State of network adequacy in Texas |
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Hospital facility fees |
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AI in healthcare insurance industry |
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For those persons who will be testifying, information for in-person witness registration, can be found here: https://mytxlegis.capitol.texas.gov/HWRSPublic/About.aspx
A live video broadcast of this hearing will be available here: https://house.texas.gov/video-audio/
Instructions related to public access to the meeting location are available here: https://house.texas.gov/committees/public-access-house-committee-meetings/
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Texas residents who wish to electronically submit comments related to agenda items on this notice without testifying in person can do so until the hearing is adjourned by visiting: https://comments.house.texas.gov/home?c=c320
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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.
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