SB 575 (Van de Putte) and SB 585 (Watson), two bills concerning the expansion and continuation of the Medicaid Women’s Health Program, were heard in yesterday’s hearing of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Testimony offered in opposition to the bills advocated for the elimination of Program funding to Family Planning Centers that do not provide comprehensive primary and preventive care services, which was argued would end the controversial taxpayer funding stream to abortion providers or affiliates through the Program. Those testifying in support of the bills discussed the positive fiscal implication the Program has for Texas and indicated eliminating Program funding to Family Planning Centers could jeopardize the Program’s provider base, affecting the state’s ability to meet Waiver mandates of the Program. Another bill concerning the Program, SB 1854 (Deuell), was filed on March 24 but was not taken up during the hearing. As a result of the discussion, Chairwoman Jane Nelson felt consensus could be reached on the issue and appointed a Subcommittee consisting of Senators Rodriguez, Nichols and Deuell (Chair) to consider SB 575, SB 585 and SB 1854 and provide a recommendation to the full Committee.
