Summary. Sequestration is the automatic reduction (i.e., cancellation) of certain federal spending, generally by a uniform percentage. The sequester is a budget enforcement tool that was established by Congress in the… Read more
Attempts by the federal government to estimate the number of people who are homeless have only taken place on a regular basis for a little more than a decade. Prior… Read more
The Medical Care Advisory Committee (MCAC) gathered for their quarterly meeting. MCAC is a federally mandated committee that reviews and makes recommendations to the state Medicaid director on proposed rules that involve Medicaid policy or affect Medicaid-funded programs.
Introduction
Gilbert Handal, M.D., Medical Care Advisory Committee Chair stated that a quorum was established. The minutes from the meetings on August 24, 2017, and November 16, 2017, (vote required) were approved as written.
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The Affordable Care Act (ACA, P.L. 111-148, as amended), enacted in 2010, appropriated billions of dollars of mandatory funds to support two programs that focus on expanding access to primary… Read more
“The problem here, for the most part, isn’t faulty guns or insufficient training. It’s dangerous people using guns effectively. The best approach to violence prevention is to zero in on… Read more
Texas Insight Reports Texas Gun Violence as a Public Health Issue: Part III: After 26 Texans lost their lives in the November 7, 2017, Sutherland Springs, Texas shooting, Texas Representatives Nevarez… Read more
The Drug Utilization Review Board (link is external) gathered for its quarterly meeting. [The Board] develops and submits recommendations for the preferred drug list, suggests clinical prior authorizations on outpatient prescription drugs, recommends education interventions for Medicaid providers, and reviews drug usage across Medicaid programs.
Introduction
The meeting was called to order by the Chair, Robert Hogue. The minutes from the meeting on November 3, 2017, were approved with minor edits.
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The Hospital Payment Advisory Committee met, in an informational session, to receive an update on the 1115 demonstration waiver. [HPAC is] a sub-committee of the Medical Care Advisory Committee (MCAC), advises MCAC and HHS about hospital reimbursement methodologies for inpatient hospital prospective payment and on adjustments for disproportionate share hospitals.
Introduction
Diana Strupp, Hospital Payment Advisory Committee Chair convened the meeting. The minutes from the meeting on November 9, 2017, were approved as written.[1] Read more
The Health and Human Services Commission conducted two public hearings today using a combined hearing format. The first was related to Proposed Medicaid Payment Rates for the Medicaid Biennial Calendar… Read more
“Texas Insight has been a valuable tool that we have utilized both during the Texas Legislative Session and during the Interim. Timeliness and accuracy are important and that describes the reporting system. We view it as a very important service to have.”