Texas Insight’s Recent Reports
- Pharma Under Fire in Texas: A number of recent events have brought renewed scrutiny to the pharmaceutical industry, threatening fines and increased regulation. This posting explores these events and perhaps a more balanced view of responsibility for the opioid epidemic. The posting also provides an overview of President Trump’s recent proposal to curb drug industry prices.
- HHSC: Proposed §353.1303, Quality Incentive Payment Program for Nursing Facilities (QIPP): The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) conducted a public hearing to receive public comment on proposed Medicaid rules for §353.1303, Quality Incentive Payment Program for Nursing Facilities.
- HHSC: Medical Care Advisory Committee: The Medical Care Advisory Committee 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.
- House Committee on Human Services: The committee met on May 9th to consider the remainder of Interim Charge 2, a review of managed care in Texas. In particular, the committee focused on the following: a) Study whether access to care and network adequacy contractual requirements are sufficient; b) Determine Medicaid participant and provider satisfaction within STAR, STAR Health, STAR Kids and STAR+PLUS managed care programs; and c) Study the future delivery of services under a managed care model to additional populations.
- HHSC: Texas State Child Fatality Review Team Committee: The Committee met and received updates on the bylaws and a specific Amber Alert apprehension by DPS. New members were elected including: DFPS (CPS)—Marcia Stone (Georgetown); Police Chief—Michael Baldwin (Weatherford); Educator—Christi Elliot (Comal County). Additionally, the Committee discussed a new position statement regarding moving local CFRT activity to prevention.
Looking Ahead
May 31, 2018: Health and Human Services Commission Executive Council
State and Federal Healthcare News
Texas
- Texas reproductive rights groups worried about Trump proposal to strip funding from clinics affiliated with abortion providers
- School shootings and mental health: Inside the minds of mass shooters
- San Antonio) New study boosts local campaign for paid sick leave
- A crisis intensifies: Addiction lands more women behind bars
U.S.
- Do DIY Medical Tests Promise More Than They Can Deliver?
- ‘Paying Twice’: A Push for Affordable Prices for Taxpayer-Funded Drugs
- Abortion wars flare for midterm election campaign
- Cameras On Preemies Let In Families, Keep Germs Out
- Single-Payer Health Care in California: Here’s What it Would Take
- Senate health committee to hold hearing on Trump drug pricing plan
- Senate Sends Major Overhaul of Veterans Health Care to Trump
- Senate Finance Committee releases 22 opioid bills to mark up in ‘coming weeks’
- Trump Rule Would Bar Some Abortion Advice at Federally Funded Clinics
- Congress Approves Bill Giving Patients a ‘Right to Try’ Experimental Drugs