As the beginning of the 78th Legislature approaches, the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services has issued its interim report, available online at:
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/commit/c610/Downloads/HHS_Report2002.pdf.
Following public hearings and stakeholder meetings, the Committee members issued recommendations for the Legislature keeping in mind the fiscal challenges sure to face the Legislature during the upcoming session. The Committee's report addresses the issues it was charged to study by Lieutenant Governor Bill Ratliff and Committee Chair Senator Mike Moncrief including supplemental security income, public health preparedness, immunizations, organ donation and allocation, and restraints and seclusion.
With respect to childhood immunization rates, the report cites Texas's poor ranking among states concerning immunization rates. Recommendations include: (1) institution of a statewide immunization education campaign and coordination between local, regional, and state stakeholders; and (2) modifications of ImmTrac (the state immunization registry) to increase participation and data collection. Other recommendations are intended to equalize access to immunization and improve Texas's overall rating.
With respect to organ donation and allocation, the recommendations include: (1) the development of a mechanism to appropriate DPS funds to TDH for the Anatomical Gift Education Program, directing TDH to work with the three organ procurement organizations to submit a proposal concerning the statewide variance to the current allocation system in Texas; and (3) facilitating discussion among the three OPOs to establish a suitable alternative geographic configuration for kidney allocation. A number of additional recommendations were proposed that seek to equitably allocate organ distribution in the State of Texas.
To see this week's Health Briefs (a listing of Federal and Texas Register regulations affecting health care), visit our website at http://www.velaw.com/publications/healthcare/HB110102.pdf.
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