Below is a list of legislative and state agency health care hearings scheduled between March 8 and March 28.
3/10/2014
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
March 10, 2014 – 10:00 AM
2222 Welborn St. (Texas Scottish Rite Hospital), Dallas
Texas Office for Prevention of Developmental Disabilities Executive Committee Meeting (TOPDD) 1. Call to Order: Roll call of Members/Establish Quorum 2. Greetings and Introductions: Richard Garnett, Ph.D. 3. Approval of Minutes from December 6, 2013 Meeting 4. Report on Child Safety and Injury Prevention Committee: Ashley Givens 5. Report on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Collaborative: Mary Tijerina, Ph.D., MSSW 6. Report on TOPDD Staff: Janet Sharkis 7. Nominate/Re-elect Steering Committee members (Vote Required) 8. Scheduling of Next Meeting: Richard Garnett, Ph.D. 9. Public Comment 10. Adjourn. Additional Information Contact: Angela Morales, 512/206-4544
House Committee on County Affairs
March 10, 2014 – 10:00 AM
Polk County Commerce Center Room A,1017 US Highway 59 Loop North, Livingston, TX 77351
The committee will meet to hear testimony on all interim charges:
1. Examine population growth in Texas counties and the impact the growth has had on housing, available land resources, businesses in Texas, as well as the impact of growth on the state's economy. Evaluate Texas's preparedness to respond to future growth and ensure economic stability. 2. Continue oversight of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards and issues jails currently face, including the mental health of those in jail, and make recommendations for refinement or improvement of processes and programs. 3. Monitor the health advisory panel stemming from HB 3793 (83R). 4. Determine which counties have implemented a cite-and-summons policy, whether the policy has been effective in lessening overcrowding in county jails, and whether those cited by peace officers comply with the policy. 5. Study the implementation of SB 462 (83R). Examine which counties currently have veterans courts, as well as veterans courts in other states, and determine how those programs are working and whether these courts provide additional services or resources for veterans. Make appropriate recommendations. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Defense and Veterans' Affairs) 6. Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 83rd Legislature. In conducting this oversight, the committee should: a. consider any reforms to state agencies to make them more responsive to Texas taxpayers and citizens; b. identify issues regarding the agency or its governance that may be appropriate to investigate, improve, remedy, or eliminate; c. determine whether an agency is operating in a transparent and efficient manner; and d. identify opportunities to streamline programs and services while maintaining the mission of the agency and its programs.
3/11/2014
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
March 11, 2014 – 11:00 AM
Brown-Heatly Building , Public Hearing Room , 4900 North Lamar Blvd., Austin
Proposed new rule and amendments concerning Standards for Medicaid Managed Care: Provider Marketing. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will conduct a public hearing to receive comments on the proposed new rule under Title 1, Part 15, Chapter 354, Subchapter B, §354.1452, concerning Provider Marketing, and amended rule under Title 1, Part 15, Chapter 353, Subchapter E, §353.405, concerning Marketing. HHSC proposes new §354.1452 to specify the types of provider marketing that are prohibited as well as those that are considered permissible and to permit providers to submit proposed marketing materials to HHSC for review and prior authorization to ensure that the materials are in compliance with the rule. HHSC also proposes to amend §353.405 to include a reference to proposed new §354.1452, which will extend the provider marketing activity requirements to providers under Medicaid managed care and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), clarify that managed care organizations are allowed to assist their existing clients with reapplication, and allow STAR+PLUS providers to educate clients about the availability of long-term care services and supports, if the activities are permitted by the provider's contract. The rules are intended to decrease fraud and improve the client experience. Written comments on the proposed amendments to the rule may be submitted to Jimmy Perez, HHSC, Medicaid/CHIP Policy Development, MC-H310, Brown Heatly Building, 4900 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78751; by fax to 512-730-7472; or by email to Jimmy.Perez@hhsc.state.tx.us, within 30 days after publication of this proposal in the Texas Register.
3/17/2014
Health Professions Council
March 17, 2014 – 09:00 AM
333 Guadalupe St. Tower 2-220, Austin
Health Professions Council. The following items many not necessarily be considered in the order they appear and HPC may act on any agenda item. i Call to Order, Welcome and Introductions, Review Agenda ii Announcements A. Consideration of Minutes from December 10, 2013 Action B. Technology Report – – DIR Update – Mr. Allan Martin – – ITSS Update – – Website Administrator Report Briefing C. Budget and Planning Report – 2nd Quarter Review – Legislative Budget Board Introductions Nora Velasco, Team Lead Julie Lindsey, Analyst Briefing D. Training Committee – Business Continuity Planning and Training Ms. Maureen Clement, SORM Scott Olsen, SORM Briefing E. Agency Leadership Elections – Nominations for positions – Vote Action F. Public Comment Next Meeting Monday, June 9, 2014 G. Adjourn. Additional Information Contact: John Monk, 512/305-8551
3/18/2014
Correctional Managed Health Care Committee
March 18, 2014 – 09:00 AM
200 River Pointe Dr., Suite 200, Training Room, Conroe
I.Call to Order II.Recognitions and Introductions III.Consent Items 1.Approval of Excused Absences 2.Approval of CMHCC Meeting Minutes, December 11, 2013 3.TDCJ Health Services Monitoring Reports Operational Review Summary Data Grievance and Patient Liaison Statistics Preventive Medicine Statistics Utilization Review Monitoring Capital Assets Monitoring Accreditation Activity Summary Active Biomedical Research Project Listing Administrative Segregation Mental Health Monitoring 4.University Medical Directors Reports The University of Texas Medical Branch Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center 5.Summary of CMHCC Joint Committee / Work Group Activities IV.Update on Financial Reports V.Summary of Critical Correctional Health Care Personnel Vacancies 1.Texas Department of Criminal Justice 2.Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center 3.The University of Texas Medical Branch VI.Medical Directors Updates 1.Texas Department of Criminal Justice Health Services Division FY 2014 First Quarter Report 2.Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center 3.The University of Texas Medical Branch VII.Brief Overview of Joint Committee Structure – Lannette Linthicum, MD, CCHP-A, FACP VIII.Joint Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee Presentation – Stephanie Zepeda, Pharm.D., Director, Pharmacy Services, UTMB Correctional Managed Care IX. Public Comments X. Adjourn. Additional Information Contact: Marsha Brumley, 936/437-3542
Department of State Health Services
March 18, 2014 – 10:00 AM
Department of State Health Services, Tower Bldg, Rm T-607, 1100 West 49th Street, Austin
Toxic Substances Coordinating Committee The Committee will meet to discuss and possibly act on the following agenda: 1. Call to order and welcome visitors 2. Approval of minutes from the December, 2013 meeting 3. Presentation for this month is being replaced with a discussion on Biomonitoring. 4. Subcommittee reports: a. Harmful Algal Bloom workgroup meeting update b. Fish Sampling Subcommittee meeting update c. The Human Health Workgroup update 5. Agency updates 6. Upcoming Toxic Substances Coordinating Committee 2014 meetings are scheduled at the Department of State Health Services, Tower Building, Room T-607, 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, Texas from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. as follows: June 17, 2014 September 16, 2014 December 16, 2014 7. Adjourn TSCC Mission: Our mission is to protect and promote the health of the people of Texas through the prevention and control of adverse health effects related to toxic substances and harmful physical agents. This is accomplished through interagency coordination of regulation development, health risk assessments, cooperative studies, information dissemination, and public education efforts. Additional Information Contact: 512/463-5561
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
March 18, 2014 – 10:00 AM
2405 Robert Dedman Dr. (UT Thompson Conf. Center, Rm 3.102), Austin
State Medicaid Managed Care Advisory Committee 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Adoption of the November 20, 2013 Meeting Minutes a. Discussion b. Adoption (vote required) 4. Adoption of Guiding Principles Document a. Discussion b. Adoption (Vote required) 5. Discussion of and Setting Future Meeting Dates a. Discussion b. Set future meeting dates 6. Presentation of a Matrix for Child Medicaid 7. Public Comment 8. Lunch Break (Recess) 9. Call to Order 10. Presentation of Quality Activities as Related to Medicaid Including the Use of Clinician & Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems 11. Presentation on Network Adequacy 12. Presentation on Administrative Simplifications and Recent Survey 13. Other Business 14. Adjourn. Additional Information Contact: Charles Bredwell, 512/462-6337
3/19/2014
Texas State Board of Pharmacy
March 19, 2014 – 09:00 AM
333 Guadalupe Street, Tower 2 – Room 225, Austin
I. Call to Order and Welcome (9:00 a.m.) II. Announcements III. Review of Board's Responsibilities and Task Force Charge IV. Discussion A. Items agreed upon at the last meeting: Seek legislation to expand the duties of pharmacy technicians including tech check tech in hospital pharmacies (checking blister packs, checking automated dispensing systems) Seek legislation to allow tech check tech in community pharmacies for certain duties such as prepackaging, etc. Require pharmacy technicians performing expanded duties to have completed an ASHP accredited technician program and designate these individuals as Advanced Pharmacy Technicians. Create 3 levels of technicians – pharmacy technician trainee, pharmacy technician, and advanced pharmacy technician. Allow pharmacy technicians to transfer refill prescriptions for dangerous drugs. B. Other Suggestions for change. V. Adjourn. Additional Information Contact: Allison Benz, 512/305-8037
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
March 19, 2014 – 10:00 AM
4900 N Lamar Blvd, Brown-Heatly Bldg, Public Hearing Rm 1410, Austin
Behavioral Health Integration Advisory Committee (BHIAC) 1. Welcome and Introductions 2. Review and Approval of the December 11, 2013 minutes 3. General updates on BHIAC by HHSC Staff 4. Overview, Purpose and Process of Workgroups 5. Workgroup Break Outs 6. Lunch Break (Recess 45 minutes) 7. Workgroup Break Outs continued 8. Review of Workgroups Recommendation Results 9. BHIAC Discussion and Final Vote on Recommendations 10. BHIAC Discussion and Decision on composition of Recommendations for Executive Commissioner 11. Public Comments 12. Discussion of next meeting and possible Agenda Items for BHIAC, June 2014 13. Adjourn. Additional Information Contact: 512/463-5561
3/26/2014
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
March 26, 2014 – 11:00 AM
1200 E. Anderson Lane, Board Room, Room 1.170, Austin
Committee on Academic and Workforce Success Note: Time of meeting will be 11:00 am or upon Adjournment of the Committee on Affordability, Accountability and Planning meeting whichever occurs later. Public Testimony: The presiding chair shall designate whether public testimony will be taken at the beginning of the meeting, at the time the related item is taken up by the Board after staff has presented the item, or any other time as determined by the presiding chair. For procedures on testifying please go to http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/public-testimony I. Welcome and Committee Chair's meeting overview II. Consideration of approval of the minutes from the December 11, 2013, Committee meeting III. Consideration of approval of the Consent Calendar IV. Public Testimony on Agenda Items V. Matters relating to the Committee on Academic and Workforce Success A. Consideration of adopting the staff recommendations to the Committee relating to requests for a new degree program: Stephen F. Austin State University (1) Bachelor of Science (BS) degree with a major in Engineering Physics Texas Woman's University (2) Doctor of Occupational Therapy (ODT) degree with a major in Occupational Therapy University of Texas at El Paso (3) Master of Science (MS) degree with a major in Software Engineering University of Texas at Arlington (4) Master of Construction Management (MCM) degree with a major in Construction Management B. Update on Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso C. Notification of change in organization for regional accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission D. Update on the progress of the Adult Basic Education Postsecondary Education Transition Report (General Appropriations Act, Senate Bill 1, 83rd Texas Legislature, Regular Session, Section 28, pages III-43 and III-50) E. Consideration of adopting the staff recommendation to the Committee relating to the funding of professional development regarding the Puente Integrated Reading/Writing model F. Consideration of adopting the staff recommendation to the Committee relating to the approval of amendments to provide additional funds to Comprehensive Student Success Program institutions to create student success best-practice toolkits G. Consideration of adopting the staff recommendation to the Committee relating to the approval of amendments to provide additional funding to current regional teams and to fund additional regional teams for the Vertical Alignment Training Project to coordinate and implement House Bill 5, 83rd Texas Legislature, Regular Session policies H. Consideration of adopting the staff recommendation to the Committee relating to the appointment of student representatives to the ApplyTexas Advisory Committee, the Graduate Education Advisory Committee, the Learning Technology Advisory Committee, and the Undergraduate Education Advisory Committee I. Consideration of adopting the staff recommendation to the Committee relating to the guidelines for the 2014 Texas Higher Education Star Award VI. Adjournment. Additional Information Contact: Dr. Rex Peebles, 512/427-6520
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
March 26, 2014 – 09:00 AM
4900 N Lamar Blvd. (Brown-Heatly Bldg Public Hearing Rm), Austin
STAR Kids Managed Care Advisory Committee 1. Welcome and Opening Remarks a) Member introductions b) Adopt meeting minutes from December 12, 2013 2. STAR Kids Procurement Process a) Overview of draft Request for Proposals (RFP) b) Procurement schedule and opportunities 3. Discussion of Key STAR Kids Elements 4. Public Comment 5. Determine Priorities for Future Meetings 6. Adjourn. Additional Information Contact: kate.volti@hhsc.stat
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