- Welcome and opening remarks (Call to order, roll call, Explanation of proceedings using Microsoft Teams meeting,
No public comment was offered during the meeting
Executive commissioner’s welcome and remarks, HHSC submitted the Rural Health Transformation Program application to CMS, aiming to improve rural healthcare and empower rural Texans; funding decisions expected by year-end.
The agency entered the next phase of the Sunset Advisory Commission review, with a report expected by October 2026.
Leadership updates included welcoming David Costarin back as Deputy Executive Commissioner of Regulatory Services, CIO Sylvia Koffman’s appointment to the Governor’s AI Advisory Board, and Emily Zolkowski’s election to the National Association Medicaid Directors Board.
Chief officers’ remarks, No comment
Department of State Health Services commissioner’s remarks. DSHS has been active in bill implementation and Sunset Review. They are addressing pertussis outbreak across Texas.
| Health Alert: Increase in Pertussis Cases in Texas | Texas DSHS
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is reporting a significant increase in cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, in 2025. According to provisional data, Texas has had more than 3,500 reported pertussis cases through October this year, roughly four times the number reported for the same period last year. This is the second consecutive year that Texas is experiencing high year-over-year increases in reported pertussis cases and the second consecutive year DSHS has issued a health alert (see Increase in Pertussis Cases, Nov. 12, 2024). The best way to protect against pertussis is immunization. Parents should ensure children are up-to-date on pertussis immunizations, and pregnant women and others who will be around newborns should get a booster dose to protect babies from what can be a deadly infection. Clinicians should consider pertussis in people with compatible symptoms and report all suspected cases to the local health department within one workday. |
Infant botulism (Infant Botulism Outbreak Linked to Infant Formula, November 2025 | Botulism | CDC) is also being addressed related to Byheart products Botulism | Texas DSHS
Department of Family and Protective Services commissioner’s remarks. They are into Sunset Review process. They have been addressing kinship care licensing standards. They have a 43% kinship placement which exceeds the national average. They are also working on an educational campaign for kinship care.
They have also been working on the needs of High Acuity Youth with placement availability at a new state hospital. The numbers of youth without placement are between 18-21 per night.
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