House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Article II (Health and Human Services) - 86th R.S. (2019)

Committee Members
Sarah Davis, Chair J.D. Sheffield, Vice Chair Philip Cortez	Cole Hefner John Turner
Charges
• Monitor the agencies and programs under Article II and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation and riders passed by the 86th Legislature. In conducting this oversight, the Subcommittee will also specifically monitor: implementation of new funding and full-time equivalent positions for the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Vital Statistics Unit; implementation of DSHS Rider 29; evaluate the capacity of immunization programs to prevent, reduce, and eliminate vaccine-preventable diseases in adults and children; fulfillment of requirements in Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Rider 114, including HHSC Office of Inspector General alignment of oversight of managed care organizations; impact of funding and implementation of legislation related to post-permanency services for children exiting the Texas foster care system; progress on construction of state hospitals and the capacity of the state hospital system to provide mental health support in all regions across Texas; impact of funding to increase the base wage for attendant services and additional investments in the wage enhancement programs; and Medicaid cost containment efforts.
• Review how Texas is preparing for state and federal budgetary changes that impact the state's health programs, including: the Family First Prevention Services Act; the next phase of the 1115 Healthcare Transformation and Quality Improvement Program Waiver; Texas’ Targeted Opioid Response Grant; the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services proposed Medicaid Fiscal Accountability rule, and the Healthy Texas Women Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Human Services and the House Committee on Public Health)
• Review the ability of hospital finance methods, including trauma funding, graduate medical education payments, and supplemental payment programs, to support all hospitals in Texas (including rural and children's hospitals), and the potential impact from state and federal budgetary changes.
• Monitor the implementation and expansion of Community-Based Care by the Department of Family and Protective Services. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Human Services)
• Examine state investments in the health and brain development of babies and toddlers, including Early Childhood Intervention and other early childhood programs for children in the first three years. Evaluate opportunities to boost child outcomes and achieve longer-term savings.
• Examine the financial impact of the multi-state opioid settlements to the state of Texas. Review the amount of money the state may receive to the state treasury under the settlements and any restrictions placed on the use of funds. Determine which programs and services provide the best opportunities for reducing opioid dependence and abuse in the state.
• Monitor the use of funding for the Alternatives to Abortion program to ensure it is achieving the intended goals and providing access to all eligible recipients in a cost effective manner. Evaluate the use of additional funding provided under HHSC Rider 80, and ensure that awards to the program are made competitively, consistent with all applicable state contracting regulations, and in a manner that provides the greatest access to services. Evaluate HHSC benchmarks used to monitor performance and contract oversight of program providers.
Note: Appointed by Chair, 2/4/2019. Appropriations subcommittee assignments

Information on this website is provided as a public service by the Legislative Reference Library. The Legislative Reference Library makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy and makes no warranty in regard to its use. Users assume all risk of reliance on the information included on this site.