During Senate Finance’s organizational hearing on January 23, 2017, Sen. Nelson appointed the Health Care Costs Workgroup and tasked its members with analyzing the rising costs for health care in Texas and identifying strategies, efficiencies, and solutions for dealing with the increasing costs.
Senate Finance will hear invited testimony specifically relating to health care costs during the hearing scheduled for February 1, 2017. The workgroup also has a hearing scheduled for February 3, 2017.
Health Care Costs Workgroup members: Senator Charles Schwertner (Chair), Senator Joan Huffman, Senator Lois Kolkhorst, Senator Robert Nichols, Senator Carlos Uresti, Senator Kirk Watson, and Senator John Whitmire.
"Everyone always thinks of Medicaid when we talk about our rising health care costs, but health care for our teachers, state employees and our prison population is also driving up the costs significantly. The numbers are staggering. This workgroup will identify ways to contain these costs, which — if nothing changes — will continue to consume more of the budget and crowd out our ability to meet other needs," Senator Nelson said.
To follow the hearing discussion, see: http://www.senate.texas.gov/av-live.php