Under the Pink Dome: 88th Legislative Session Update

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News

Under the Pink Dome: Leadership Priorities Unveiled, House Committees Announced, Health Literacy Bills Filed, Bexar County Mental Health Advocates Testify on State Budget Bill

Governor and Lt. Governor Unveil Top Priorities – Delivering his State of the State address in San Marcos, Texas, Governor Greg Abbott emphasized the importance of boosting the states’ workforce and infrastructure as he identified his top seven emergency items, including reducing local property taxes, ending COVID restrictions , giving education freedom to all Texans, school safety, ending "revolving door" bail, securing the border, and fighting the fentanyl crisis. By designating these issues as emergencies, lawmakers are free to take action to pass these bills within the first 60 days of the legislative session. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick also released a list of his 30 priority bills, covering a wide range of topics that include cutting property taxes, strengthening parental rights, and increasing teacher pay.

House Speaker Announces Committee Appointments & Top Priorities – Speaker Dade Phelan released his committee assignments for 34 standing and two select committees in the House chamber. Nine committees will be chaired by Democrats, down from 13 in the previous legislative session. Rep. Greg Bonnen (R- Friendswood) will lead the 28-member House Appropriations Committee and oversee the biennial budget bill. The two select committees addressing health care reform and youth health and safety will be chaired by Representatives Sam Harless (R-Spring) and Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) respectively.

Speaker Phelan has unveiled four of his priority bills for the 88^th Session. House Bill 4 by Representative Capriglione (R-Southlake) would address how companies collect and use consumers’ personal data. House Bill 12 by Representative Toni Rose (D-Dallas) expands Medicaid coverage for new moms from six to 12 months postpartum. Rose passed a similar bill in the House in 2021, only to have the Senate reduce the coverage down to six months. Governor Abbott recently signaled his support of extending postpartum coverage to 12 months. House Bill 18 by Representative Slawson (R-Stephenville) would give parents more control over their children’s online activity. Finally, House Bill 300 by Representative Howard (D-Austin) would exempt from sales and use taxes certain family care items, including drugs or medicines prescribed or dispensed by a licensed practitioner of healing arts, certain hygiene products for children and adults, as well as certain medical equipment. On Monday, HB 300 was heard by the House Ways & Means Committee. Methodist Healthcare Ministries submitted written testimony in support of the bill.

Bexar County Mental Health Advocates Call for More Community Beds & Regional Psychiatric Center

The Senate Finance Committee met on February 21 to hear from Texas families, local officials, and organizations on the need to increase funding for state health care services, including mental health. Members of the SASH Executive Committee, who came together in 2017 to successfully advocate for a new 300-bed state hospital, reunited this legislative session to advocate for more psychiatric community beds and one time funding for the construction of a new psychiatric center in Bexar County.

Led by Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Policy & Advocacy team, committee members developed written testimony and fact sheets to document the unmet demand for mental health services, including comprehensive inpatient care. MHM also worked to secure Senator Pete Flores as the author of the Senate budget rider, which includes the two requests for funding and will require adoption by the full Senate Finance Committee to move forward. Testifying on behalf of the group were Eric Epley, Executive Director & CEO, Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council, Jelynne LeBlanc Jamison, President & CEO, The Center for Healthcare Services and Dr. Sally Taylor, Sr. VP and Chief of Behavioral Medicine, University Health. More information on the budget request can be found here.

Health Literacy Bills Filed to Improve Patient Outcomes

In Texas, one in five adults lacks the knowledge to effectively manage their health and prevent disease, costing the healthcare industry $4.8 billion per year in administrative costs alone. Since 2017, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has worked to pass legislation that would add health literacy to the statewide health plan. This session, MHM secured Senator Nathan Johnson (D-Dallas) to author and file Senate Bill 589, and Rep. Steve Allison (R-San Antonio) to file the companion bill, House Bill 1578. If passed, the bill would direct the Statewide Health Coordinating Council to establish a statewide health literacy plan that would educate and improve communication between patient and provider to promote better health outcomes for patients. Implementation of a state health literacy plan would also result in cost savings to healthcare providers.

Pediatric Obesity Prevention Programs Evaluated to Learn What Works Research conducted by the University of Missouri identified a number of best practices for pediatric obesity prevention programs, including that most programs get solid results when conducted over extended periods of time, promote access to physical activity and nutritious foods. The study identifies the importance and value of local schools serving as community partners in such programs, especially in rural areas facing higher rates of pediatric obesity. Researchers found obesity programs are more successful when using evidence-based strategies resulting in effective and long-term behavioral changes. One of the biggest takeaways from the study noted the need to ensure physical activity interventions are both fun and engaging. Addressing childhood obesity is a top priority for MHM, including supporting legislation that increases recess and physical activity time in schools.

Texas Leads U.S. In Growth of Newly Insured for Third Straight Year

For the third consecutive year, Texas leads the nation in newly insured rates, with nearly 570,000 new Texans signing up for health plans in 2023. The state’s Affordable Care Act enrollment hit a record high with a 31% growth rate, compared to the nation’s rate of 12.4%. The growth can be attributed to pandemic-era federal subsidies, a federal rule change addressing the “family glitch,” and the passage of a focused rate review bill during the last legislative session.

Despite the higher enrollment numbers, Texas still leads the nation in the percentage of uninsured with a rate of 18%, nearly double the national average. Methodist Healthcare Ministries joined other access to care advocates in bringing attention to the issue last week by sponsoring the People’s Hearing for Medicaid Expansion at the Texas Capitol. The event provided a platform for Texans to share their healthcare experiences and encourage legislators to improve access to care. Methodist Healthcare Ministries has led efforts to address health disparities and expand coverage for low-income Texans since the passage of the federal Patient Protection Affordable Care Act in March 2010.

Teacher Vacancy Task Force 2023 Report Released: Recommends Raises, Training, and Better Working Conditions to Address Texas’ Teacher Shortage

The Teacher Vacancy Task Force released its 2023 final report last month, citing the need for increased compensation, more training and support, and better working conditions for Texas teachers. Created in 2022 by Governor Abbott, the task force was charged with investigating the causes of Texas’ teacher workforce shortage and producing a timely report with policy recommendations to the Texas Legislature. The final report, “Developing a Thriving Teacher Workforce in Texas,” can be found on the Texas Education Agency website and accessed here.