[1. Welcome and opening remarks]
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ON FEBRUARY 12TH, 2026. TESSA RAGLAND WILL NOW CALL THE ROLL.
MEMBERS AS I CALL YOUR NAME, PLEASE REPLY WITH HERE PRESENT STEPHANIE MUTH HERE.
MICHELLE LETTOW HERE. JORDAN DIXON HERE MAURICE MCCRARY.
PRESENT. AUDREY O'NEAL. DOCTOR. JENNIFER SHUFORD HERE.
RAYMOND CHARLES WINTER. EMILY ZUKOWSKI HERE. I WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ELIZABETH FARLEY COMMISSIONER, THE CHIEF OF STAFF FOR THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES, PRESENT ON BEHALF OF COMMISSIONER AUDREY O'NEAL AND SUSAN BILES, THE PRINCIPAL DEPUTY FOR THE INSPECTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE IS PRESENT ON BEHALF OF INSPECTOR GENERAL RAYMOND CHARLES WINTER, EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER. THIS CONCLUDES THE ROLL CALL.
GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS TESSA RAGLAN. I'M THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL LIAISON.
TODAY'S MEETING IS BEING HELD AS A MICROSOFT TEAMS MEETING AND IN PERSON.
PRODUCERS WILL NOT ADMIT A BOT OR OTHER AUTONOMOUS AGENTS INTO THE MEETING.
IF A BOT SHOULD INADVERTENTLY ENTRANCE, IT WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE MEETING BY ONE OF OUR PRODUCERS.
PLEASE LEAVE YOUR CAMERAS OFF AND YOUR MICROPHONES ON MUTE UNTIL YOU NEED TO SPEAK.
WE ALSO ASK THAT MEMBERS, STAFF AND PRESENTERS PARTICIPATING VIRTUALLY.
PLEASE PUT YOUR CELL PHONE ON MUTE OR VIBRATE AND IF YOU NEED TO TAKE A CALL, PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAMERA AND YOUR MICROPHONE ON THE VIEWING DEVICE TO AVOID DISRUPTING THE MEETING. FOR MEMBERS, STAFF AND PRESENTERS PARTICIPATING IN PERSON, WE ASK THAT YOU SPEAK DIRECTLY INTO THE MICROPHONE SO YOUR VOICE AND COMMENTS CAN BE HEARD. THESE MICROPHONES ARE DIRECTIONAL, SO THEY WILL ONLY PICK UP SOUND THAT IS DIRECTED INTO THE MIC.
WE ALSO ASK THAT YOU PLEASE PUT YOUR CELL PHONES ON MUTE OR VIBRATE.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT TODAY, WHO DID NOT PREREGISTER TO PROVIDE COMMENTS, WHO OR WHO ARE ATTENDING IN PERSON, SHOULD COMPLETE THE PUBLIC COMMENT REGISTRATION FORM ON THE TABLE OUTSIDE THE DOOR TO THE PUBLIC MEETING ROOM.
PLEASE BRING YOUR COMPLETED REGISTRATION TO THE FORM TO THE STAFF AT THIS FACILITATOR TABLE.
THE AGENDA AND MINUTES AND HANDOUTS FOR TODAY'S MEETING CAN BE FOUND ON THE HHS WEBSITE AT GOV.
YOU WILL CLICK ABOUT IN THE CENTER OF THE WHITE BANNER AT THE TOP, SELECTING MEETINGS AND EVENTS IN THE DROP DOWN MENU, THEN CLICKING THE LINK ON THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE COMMISSION EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AGENDA EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER I WILL RETURN TO THE FLOOR TO YOU.
THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. I AM HAPPY TO BE HERE TODAY, AND TODAY MARKS ALMOST THE COMPLETION OF SIX WEEKS INTO THIS, MY ROLE AS EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER AT HHS. THOSE SIX WEEKS HAVE BEEN A WHIRLWIND OF MEETING WITH STAFF AND GETTING UP TO SPEED ON A NUMBER OF ISSUES.
AS SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW, I HAD A LONG HISTORY OF WORKING AT THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION, BUT IT'S BEEN ABOUT FIVE AND A HALF YEARS SINCE I LEFT, AND I'M HAPPY TO RETURN IN THIS ROLE AND WORK WITH FORMER COLLEAGUES.
AND YOU PROBABLY WON'T BE SURPRISED TO KNOW THAT IN THAT FIVE AND A HALF YEARS, A LOT HAS CHANGED, BUT A LOT REMAINS THE SAME AS WELL. SO WE HAVE ALSO BEEN MEETING WITH LEGISLATORS AND KEY STAKEHOLDERS AS I JUST CATCH UP AND GET ABREAST. AS YOU ALSO KNOW, WE ARE UNDERGOING OUR SUNSET REVIEW, SO I'VE SPENT A FAIR AMOUNT OF TIME MEETING WITH THE SUNSET COMMISSION STAFF THROUGHOUT THE AGENCY.
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THAT HAS BEEN A FOCUS FOR US, IS WORKING WITH THE SUNSET STAFF AND RESPONDING TO THEIR REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION.ONE OF THE MAJOR UPDATES THAT I WANTED TO SHARE TODAY, WHICH HAS OCCURRED SINCE WE LAST WE LAST MET, WAS TEXAS RECEIVED OUR RURAL TEXAS STRONG FUNDING.
IT IS $281 MILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY FROM 2026 THROUGH 2030, WHICH IS ROUGHLY 400 MILLION MORE THAN WE ORIGINALLY PROPOSED IN OUR REQUEST. WE HAVE SUBMITTED A REVISED BUDGET PROPOSAL TO CMS FOR APPROVAL.
SO THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF ATTENTION AROUND THE FUNDING.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE WE HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED THE FUNDS, BUT WE HAVE SUBMITTED THAT REVISED BUDGET PROPOSAL TO CMS FOR APPROVAL FOR PEOPLE TO GET UP TO DATE INFORMATION. WE HAVE LAUNCHED A PUBLIC WEBSITE.
IF YOU GO TO THE HHS WEBSITE AND LOOK FOR THE RURAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM, THERE YOU WILL FIND ALL OF THE LATEST UPDATES ON THE STATUS OF THOSE FUNDS. AND WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PLANNING FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF THESE FUNDS.
SOME WILL BE COMPETITIVE, SOME WILL BE DIRECT AWARD.
AT THIS POINT, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE OUR CHIEF PROGRAM AND SERVICES OFFICER, MICHELLE ALITO, WHO ALSO HAS TWO UPDATES ON SIGNIFICANT ISSUES AT THE AGENCY.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER, AND GOOD MORNING.
THIS IS BY FAR THE BIGGEST IMPACT TO THE SNAP PROGRAM THAT WAS INCLUDED IN THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL.
THERE WERE ALSO CHANGES TO ELIGIBILITY, AS WELL AS A CHANGE IN COST SHARE FOR WHAT THE STATE PAYS VERSUS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PAYS IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM FROM 50 OVER 50 TO 75 OVER 25.
WHAT THE PAYMENT ERROR RATE MEANS FOR TEXAS SNAP.
AS YOU, MANY OF YOU KNOW, PROVIDES FOOD BENEFITS TO LOW INCOME FAMILIES, HELPING SUPPLEMENT THEIR GROCERY BUDGETS SO THEY CAN AFFORD NUTRITIOUS FOOD THAT SUPPORTS HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. IN 2024, TEXAS SNAP ISSUED OVER $7 BILLION IN BENEFITS.
ONE IMPORTANT MEASURE WE TRACK IS THE SNAP PAYMENT ERROR RATE.
THIS IS HOW OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS ASSESS THE ACCURACY OF EACH STATE'S BENEFIT AMOUNTS ISSUED.
WITH THE PASSAGE OF FEDERAL LEGISLATION THAT COMMISSIONER MENTIONED ALSO KNOWN AS HR ONE, ALSO KNOWN AS THE ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL ACT, HAS INTRODUCED SEVERAL CHANGES THAT I WENT OVER FOR THE SNAP PROGRAM, AND THEY INCLUDE MODIFICATIONS TO THE SNAP PAYMENT ERROR RATE BEGINNING IN OCTOBER 1ST, 2027, STATES WITH A PAYMENT ERROR RATE AT OR ABOVE 6% WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY A SHARE OF SNAP BENEFIT COSTS.
RIGHT NOW, THOSE BENEFITS ARE 100% FEDERALLY FUNDED.
THE WINDOW FOR CALCULATION STARTED IN OCTOBER 2025 AND WILL CLOSE IN SEPTEMBER 2026.
WE WILL GET OUR FINAL FEDERAL PAYMENT ERROR RATE IN JULY 2027.
IF THE ERROR RATE EXCEEDS 6%, THE STATE WILL BE SUBJECT TO A COST SHARE BASED ON OUR STATE FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR 2024 COSTS, AND THIS IS EXPLICITLY OUTLINED IN THE H.R. ONE.
IF THE ERROR RATE IS BETWEEN 6 AND 8%, THE STATE MUST PAY 5% OR APPROXIMATELY $350 MILLION.
IF THE ERROR RATE IS BETWEEN 8 AND 10%, THE STATE MUST PAY 10%, OR ABOUT 700 MILLION.
SO WHAT IS TEXAS DOING TO ACHIEVE AN ERROR RATE BELOW 6%? THE UNDER SIX 2026 INITIATIVE LAUNCHED, LAUNCHED BY HHS ACCESS AND ELIGIBILITY SERVICES DIVISION,
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HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTING SEVERAL STRATEGIES TO REDUCE OUR PAYMENT ERROR RATE.THE INITIATIVE INCREASED EMPLOYEE TRAINING TO EDUCATE STAFF ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ERROR RATE, AND REINFORCES THAT WE ALL PLAY A ROLE IN ENSURING TEXANS RECEIVE ACCURATE AND TIMELY BENEFITS.
WE'VE ALSO ALIGNED STATE AND FEDERAL QUALITY GUIDELINES, MADE SYSTEM CHANGES TO REDUCE WORKER CAUSED ERRORS, AND IMPROVED CLIENT COMMUNICATIONS TO PROMOTE CLARITY AND UNDERSTANDING, HELPING REDUCE CLIENT CAUSED ERRORS IN THE SNAP APPLICATION.
MOVING FORWARD, WE WILL CONTINUE TO CLOSELY MONITOR OUR SNAP PAYMENT ERROR RATE AND LOOK FOR EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO MEET OUR GOAL OF STAYING UNDER 6% BY THE CLOSE OF FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR IN SEPTEMBER. WITH THAT EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER.
I WILL TURN IT BACK TO YOU. THANK YOU. MICHELLE.
AND ONE POINT OF CLARIFICATION ON THE THE SHIFT IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE COST.
YOU MENTIONED 75. 25. I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT THAT WOULD THE CHANGES FROM 5050 TO 75% STATE SHARE, 25% FEDERAL SHARE. SO JUST JUST A POINT OF CLARIFICATION ON THAT.
NEXT WE WILL HEAR FROM THE CHIEF OF THE POLICY AND REGULATORY AREA WITH JORDAN DIXON, AND SHE'S GOING TO GIVE US AN UPDATE ON VERY EXCITING WORK THAT HER TEAM IS DOING ON REGULATORY REFORM, WHICH DOESN'T SOUND VERY EXCITING, BUT IT IS.
SO IT'S VERY EXCITING. FOR NERDS LIKE MYSELF.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. SO FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW, THE REGULATORY SERVICES DIVISION EMBARKED ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO ON A REGULATORY REFORM INITIATIVE TO REALLY TRANSFORM OUR REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT TO BE MORE TRANSPARENT, PREDICTABLE.
REASONABLE, AND TO ALLOW US, AS THE REGULATORY BODY TO REALLY FOCUS ON THOSE CORE.
HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES THAT WE WANT TO ENSURE OUR PROVIDERS ARE FOCUSED ON.
AND ONE OF THE WAYS WE'RE A LARGE COMPONENT OF REGULATORY REFORM, OF COURSE, IS LOOKING AT THE REQUIREMENTS NAMELY IN THE TAC, THE TEXAS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE. SO WE ARE DOING THAT THROUGH A KIND OF COMPREHENSIVE FRAMEWORK WHERE WE INVENTORY ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS.
AND YOU KNOW WHAT WHAT OUR AUTHORITY IS TO EVEN HAVE THOSE REQUIREMENTS.
AND THEN CONDUCTING AN ASSESSMENT OF EVERY SINGLE RULE TO DETERMINE, YOU KNOW, CAN WE ELIMINATE OR REDUCE REQUIREMENTS TO EASE ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL BURDENS WHILE STILL MAINTAINING CORE HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.
AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, WE REGULATE A LOT OF PROVIDERS.
AND SO THIS IS A LARGE MULTI-YEAR LONGER TERM PROJECT.
BUT WE HAVE MADE SOME SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS, AND I'M EXCITED TO SHARE SOME OF THAT WITH YOU TODAY.
THE FIRST PROVIDER THAT WE'VE COMPLETED REGULATORY REFORM FOR IS KINSHIP CAREGIVERS.
THANK YOU, FORMER COMMISSIONER MUSE OF DFS, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THAT WHEN YOU WERE IN THAT ROLE.
SO THOSE RULES ARE ACTUALLY IN PLACE, AND WE WERE ABLE TO ELIMINATE 195 RULES AND OVER 1000 REQUIREMENTS FOR KINSHIP CAREGIVERS AND TO REDUCE OR EASE 160 REQUIREMENTS. SO OBVIOUSLY, THE GOAL THERE IS TO ENCOURAGE MORE KINSHIP FAMILIES TO TAKE IN THEIR THEIR KIN WHERE WE KNOW THEY THEY THRIVE.
SO WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT. WE'RE CURRENTLY WORKING ON NON-RELATIVE CAREGIVER FOSTER PARENT RULES.
AND THOSE SHOULD BE FINALIZED IN JUNE AND WILL AT THIS POINT, THE VERSION THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW WILL ELIMINATE OVER 230 RULES AND OVER 1000 REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-RELATIVE CAREGIVERS. WE ALSO IN OUR LONG TERM CARE AREA WE ARE WORKING TO POST RULES FOR FORMAL COMMENT FOR OUR ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES.
AND THOSE RULES WILL ELIMINATE OVER 90 RULES AND OVER 130 REQUIREMENTS.
SO AND THEN WE ARE KIND OF IN VARIOUS STAGES WITH OTHER PROVIDERS.
CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY. TREATMENT FACILITIES. DAY ACTIVITY.
HEALTH SERVICES AND ITS PROVIDERS. SO WE HAVE A LOT GOING ON.
AND I JUST ALSO WANT TO MENTION THAT STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT IS A HUGE PIECE OF THIS.
SO WE SURVEY ALL OF OUR PROVIDERS. WE HAVE STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS.
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WE WANT TO KNOW FROM OUR BOOTS ON THE GROUND AND THEIR BOOTS ON THE GROUND, LIKE, WHAT'S THE PRACTICAL IMPACT OF THIS? IS IT ACTUALLY NECESSARY FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY? AND IT'S BEEN REALLY GREAT TO HEAR FROM THOSE PROVIDERS AND GET THEIR PERSPECTIVE.SO WE WILL CONTINUE TO UPDATE YOU ALL AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
AND YEAH, JUST REALLY EXCITED. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT.
COMMISSIONER. AND THANK YOU TO MY TEAM FOR ALL OF THEIR HARD WORK.
THANK YOU. I'M SO IMPRESSED WITH THE WORK THAT YOUR TEAM HAS DONE.
AND AS YOU MENTIONED, WHEN I WAS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE EQUATION OVER AT THE DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES, AND WE HEARD FROM OUR FOSTER FAMILIES AND OUR KINSHIP HOMES SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WITH BEING LICENSED AND RETAINING LICENSED AND THE DIFFERENCE THAT THAT MAKES IN A CHILD'S LIFE. WE TALK ABOUT EASING RULES AND REQUIREMENTS AND BURDENS, BUT IT'S REALLY ABOUT THOSE KIDS HAVING A SAFE PLACEMENT WITH FAMILY AND THOSE KINSHIP.
THE IT'S REALLY SUCH A FUNDAMENTAL SHIFT IN OUR, OUR SYSTEM AND REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THE IMPACTS THAT WE WILL SEE FOR YEARS TO COME. SO I DON'T THINK WE CAN UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPACT OF THE WORK THAT YOUR TEAM HAS, HAS DONE AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO. OUR FINAL UPDATE WILL BE FROM EMILY ZUKOWSKI, THE CHIEF MEDICAID AND CHIP SERVICES OFFICER. SHE IS GOING TO PROVIDE SOME IMPORTANT UPDATES REGARDING OUR PROVIDER ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY.
YES, I'M EMILY ZUKOWSKI, STATE MEDICAID DIRECTOR AND CHIEF, MEDICAID AND CHIP SERVICES OFFICER.
I AM PROVIDING, AS THE COMMISSIONER SAID, AN UPDATE ON OUR PROVIDER ENROLLMENT AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, AS WELL AS THE PROCESSES BEHIND THAT, THAT SYSTEM.
SO, AS YOU ARE PROBABLY AWARE, TO PARTICIPATE IN MEDICAID AND SOME OF OUR OTHER PROGRAMS HERE, PROVIDERS HAVE TO ENROLL THROUGH THE PROVIDER ENROLLMENT SYSTEM, AND THEN THEY HAVE TO REVALIDATE THEIR ENROLLMENT EVERY FIVE YEARS.
SINCE THAT TIME, PROVIDERS HAVE EXPERIENCED CHALLENGES IS REVALIDATING THROUGH THE SYSTEM.
WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL TECHNICAL ISSUES AS WELL AS SOME PROCESS ISSUES.
SO I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, AND I WANT TO THANK PROVIDERS FOR THEIR PATIENCE AS WE WORK TO FIX THAT SYSTEM, WHICH WE ARE CURRENTLY IN THE MIDDLE OF DOING.
WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL THAT THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE APPROPRIATED FUNDS FOR US TO IMPROVE AND THAT PROVIDER ENROLLMENT SYSTEM, THE APPROPRIATED FUNDS FOR BOTH TECHNICAL CHANGES AS WELL AS FOR STAFF TO IMPROVE OVERSIGHT AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT OF PROVIDER ENROLLMENT.
WE ALSO RECEIVED APPROPRIATIONS FOR STAFF FOR A NEW PROVIDER EXPERIENCE TEAM, WHICH WILL LOOK AT HOW PROVIDERS INTERACT WITH THAT SYSTEM, AS WELL AS OTHER OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS IN MEDICAID AND PROCESSES, AND MAKE INCREMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS THERE.
WE ARE, AS I SAID, IN THE MIDST OF REDESIGNING OUR PROVIDER ENROLLMENT AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, THE TEAM SYSTEM. I WILL WE'RE THINKING OF THAT REDESIGN IN FOUR STEPS.
SO I WANTED TO GIVE YOU AN OVERVIEW OF THAT. LAST FALL, WE WORKED WITH SEVERAL PROVIDERS IN A WORK GROUP AS WELL AS MANY, MANY PROVIDERS ASSOCIATIONS TO DO RESEARCH ON WHAT IS WHAT THE PAIN POINTS ARE IN THE SYSTEM AND RECEIVE PROVIDER FEEDBACK.
CURRENTLY HAPPENING THIS WINTER IS A PROCESS BY PROCESS REDESIGN, REALLY LOOKING BEHIND THE CURTAIN AND GETTING DEEP IN THE WEEDS ON THINGS, EVALUATING THE PROCESS FOR IMPROVEMENTS AND ELIMINATING ELIMINATING UNNECESSARY STEPS.
RIGHT NOW. THIS SPRING THROUGH NEXT SPRING, WE WILL BE BUILDING AND TESTING THOSE THOSE NEW CHANGES, KIND OF AN ITERATIVE PROCESS. AND THEN BY THE END OF THE BIENNIUM, WHICH WOULD BE SUMMER 2027, WE WILL HAVE LAUNCHED THE THE NEW AND IMPROVED TEAMS. OUR DEPLOYMENT STRATEGY ON THAT IS STILL UNDER DEVELOPMENT.
SO WE'LL UPDATE THIS COMMITTEE AS WE HAVE MORE DETAILS AS WE GO ALONG.
THE CURRENT SYSTEM PROVIDERS ARE USING. SO TEXAS MEDICAID AND HEALTHCARE PARTNERSHIP, ALSO KNOWN AS TMH, WHICH DOES THE PROVIDER ENROLLMENT THE BUSINESS VENDOR FOR THAT INCREASED THEIR STAFFING BY 190% TO PROCESS APPLICATIONS FASTER.
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THEY HAVE IMPROVED STAFF TRAINING AND CROSS TRAINED STAFF, SO THEY'RE ABLE TO DO MORE THINGS TO HELP PROVIDERS.THEY'RE ALSO ACTIVELY MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO PROVIDER NOTIFICATIONS AND WEBSITE INFORMATION TO MAKE IT REALLY CLEAR TO PROVIDERS WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TO TO GET ENROLLED AND STAY ENROLLED AND REVALIDATE THEIR ENROLLMENT.
SO THOSE APPLICATIONS DON'T CLOSE AUTOMATICALLY AND MAKE THEM START OVER.
SO AS I MENTIONED, WE'VE WE'VE ENGAGED STAKEHOLDERS THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS WITH INTENTION.
WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO THAT AND GET FEEDBACK FROM PROVIDERS VIA THE WORK GROUP.
AND I THANK ALL PROVIDERS WHO HAVE GIVEN US FEEDBACK AND ANY OTHER STAKEHOLDERS.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY STAY ENROLLED. SPEAKING OF THAT, THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS, WE HAVE PROVIDED SOME FLEXIBILITIES TO PROVIDERS WHO HAVE MISSED THEIR REVALIDATION DATE. WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT RIGHT NOW.
WE'VE GOT THESE NOTICES ARE UP ON THE WEBSITE, BUT THROUGH MAY 31ST, PROVIDERS WHO DON'T COMPLETE THEIR REVALIDATION TIMELY WILL RECEIVE AN EXTRA 180 DAYS TO COMPLETE THAT REVALIDATION.
SO THE LAST THING I'LL MENTION IS JUST FOR PROVIDERS WHO HAVE WHO HAVE ALREADY HAD AN EXTENSION, WHO STILL HAVEN'T GONE IN TO START THEIR APPLICATION IS ABOUT 50% OF THE PROVIDERS WHO'VE RECEIVED AN EXTENSION.
SO WE'RE STILL HAVING TROUBLE REACHING AND COMMUNICATING WITH PROVIDERS.
AND LASTLY, I'LL JUST MENTION THAT IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PROVIDERS TO KNOW THAT THEY NEED TO COMPLETE THE WHOLE PROCESS OF REVALIDATION BY THEIR REVALIDATION DATE, WHICH THE WHOLE PROCESS CAN TAKE UP TO 180 DAYS.
SO I AM HAPPY TO PROVIDE THIS UPDATE. WE'LL CONTINUE TO UPDATE THE AT THIS MEETING ON OUR PROGRESS ON PROVIDER ENROLLMENT, AND I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT TOO. IT MIGHT SEEM A LITTLE DRY, BUT IT'S REALLY GOING TO MAKE THINGS EASIER FOR PROVIDERS, AND WE WANT TO MAKE THEM SPEND LESS TIME DOING PAPERWORK AND ENTERING REVALIDATION DATA AND MORE TIME SERVING OUR MEDICAID CLIENTS.
SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU, CHIEF SZALKOWSKI. AND I JUST WANT TO ECHO YOUR THANK YOU TO OUR PROVIDERS WHO ARE PATIENT THROUGH THIS PROCESS, BUT ALSO FOR THOSE THAT ARE SPENDING TIME AND HELPING US WITH THE DESIGN AND BUILDING THIS NEW SYSTEM SO THAT WE CAN ENSURE THAT IT MEETS THE NEEDS OF OUR PROVIDERS AT THE END OF THE PROCESS.
I THINK THIS IS REALLY GOING TO BE THE KEY DIFFERENCE.
GOOD MORNING. IT'S IT'S GOOD TO BE HERE WITH YOU ALL TODAY.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING TO IMPLEMENT LEGISLATION FROM THE MOST RECENT LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AND THIS INCLUDES A CONGENITAL SYPHILIS AND SYPHILIS IN PREGNANCY PREVENTION AND TREATMENT PROGRAM THAT WAS FUNDED THROUGH AN EXCEPTIONAL ITEM REQUEST.
PREVENTION, TREATMENT AND FOLLOW UP FOR THESE REEMERGING CONDITIONS CAN BE VERY COMPLICATED.
SO WE REQUESTED FUNDS FOR A HOTLINE FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS TO CALL WHEN THEY NEEDED ADDITIONAL HELP WITH DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND FOLLOW UP OF PATIENTS WITH COMPLICATED SYPHILIS DIAGNOSES.
AND THAT HOTLINE WENT LIVE ON JANUARY 7TH. WE ARE ALREADY RECEIVING CALLS AND ARE GETTING MESSAGES BACK FROM PROVIDERS ABOUT HOW HELPFUL THIS RESOURCE IS.
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WATER QUALITY, AND SOME SEVERE INFECTIOUS DISEASES LIKE EBOLA.IN ADDITION, WE HAVE THE LARGEST NEWBORN SCREENING LABORATORY PROGRAM IN THE WORLD BY VOLUME.
AND AS THE NUMBER OF TESTS INCREASE, SO DOES OUR NEED FOR LAB SPACE.
THOSE ARE THINGS LIKE INSIDE YOUR NOSE AND IN YOUR MOUTH AND YOUR EYES. AND WHEN THOSE EGGS HATCH, THE LARVAE CAN BURROW DOWN INTO LIVING FLESH IN ORDER TO MATURE.
AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS, IT CREATES VERY LARGE NON-HEALING AND EVEN LIFE THREATENING WOUNDS, ESPECIALLY IN ANIMALS LIKE WILDLIFE AND LIVESTOCK.
AND SO THIS PARASITE HAS BEEN ELIMINATED FROM THE UNITED STATES BACK IN THE 1960S, BUT AS RECENTLY CAUSING INCREASING CASES IN HUMANS AND ANIMALS IN CENTRAL AMERICA AND IN MEXICO AND COMING VERY CLOSE TO OUR SOUTHERN BORDER.
SO GOVERNOR ABBOTT FORMED A NEW WORLD SCREWWORM RESPONSE TEAM LAST JUNE JUNE OF 2025.
HE NAMED TEXAS ANIMAL HEALTH COMMISSION, TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT, THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, AND TEXAS AGRILIFE AS THE LEAD AGENCIES FOR THAT RESPONSE TEAM.
HE ALSO NAMED MULTIPLE ANIMAL INDUSTRY GROUPS, AS WELL AS SOME OTHER PROPERTY RIGHTS AND RANCHERS, TO BE INCLUDED IN THAT RESPONSE TEAM. DSHS IS ALSO ON THAT RESPONSE TEAM DUE TO THE POTENTIAL IMPACT ON HUMAN HEALTH.
AND SO FROM OUR AGENCY, WE HAVE DOCTOR SUSAN ROLLO, WHO'S THE DSHS STATE PUBLIC HEALTH VETERINARIAN, AS WELL AS DOCTOR VARUN SHETTY, WHO IS OUR DSHS CHIEF STATE EPIDEMIOLOGIST, WHO ARE PARTICIPATING ON THAT RESPONSE TEAM.
BECAUSE OF THE INCREASING THREAT OF NEW WORLD SCREWWORM TO TEXAS, GOVERNOR ABBOTT ISSUED A DISASTER DECLARATION ON JANUARY 29TH, 2026. SO JUST ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO TO ADDRESS THE NEW WORLD SCREWWORM FLY SITUATION.
SO DSHS THROUGH ABOUT THE LAST SEVEN MONTHS, HAS BEEN PROVIDING EDUCATION TO HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, TO HOSPITALS AND TO CLINICAL LABORATORIES ALL ACROSS THE STATE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE PREPARED.
IF A PERSON SEEKS HEALTH CARE BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE NEW OR NEW WORLD SCREWWORM INFESTATION, AND TO ENSURE THAT PATIENT GETS THE PROPER TREATMENT, AND THAT THE HEALTH CARE FACILITY OR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER GETS APPROPRIATE HELP FOR IDENTIFICATION AND PROPER HANDLING OF THOSE NEW WORLD SCREWWORM LARVAE.
AND WE'LL ALSO CONTINUE WORKING WITH OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS LIKE FDA, USDA, AND DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE WELL COORDINATED BETWEEN THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS. AND SO THAT IS MY UPDATE FOR TODAY.
MOVING ON TO OUR NEXT SPEAKER, I. WE WILL HEAR FROM ELIZABETH FARLEY WITH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES, AND SHE WILL PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THEIR BEHALF.
THANK YOU, EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER. AND YES, MY NAME IS ELIZABETH FARLEY.
AND SO EVERYONE IS IS KIND OF PREOCCUPIED OVER THERE.
BUT WANTED TO GIVE YOU ALL A JUST A BRIEF UPDATE ON TWO PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS THAT WE'RE WORKING ON RIGHT NOW THAT WE'RE PARTNERING WITH HHS AND DSHS AND EVEN OIG, I BELIEVE, ON. SO THE FIRST ONE IS THE BABY MOSES PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN.
THIS THE BABY MOSES HOTLINE LAUNCHED ON SEPTEMBER 1ST.
THIS WAS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF RIDER 44 FROM LAST, LAST SESSION.
AND THE PURPOSE HERE IS REALLY TO REACH PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS WHO ARE IN CRISIS AND OFFER CLEAR, SAFE AND CONFIDENTIAL OPTIONS FOR MEETING THEM WITH THEIR NEEDS AS THEY ARE.
IT WAS AGREED THAT THE TRIAD THERE WAS AN EXISTING BABY MOSES HOTLINE OPERATING OUT OF HOUSTON.
THE TRIAD LINE. THAT LINE TURNED OVER ITS FUNCTION TO DFS, AND WE DESIGNATED OUR TEXAS YOUTH AND PARENT HOTLINES WITHIN STATEWIDE INTAKE TO OPERATE THAT HOTLINE.
THESE HELPLINE CALLS ARE CONFIDENTIAL, CRISIS ORIENTED, AND OFFER TEXT AND CHAT CAPABILITIES.
AND I ALSO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT IT'S ENTIRELY SEPARATE FROM THE ABUSE AND NEGLECT.
AND THIS ONE, IT IS IT IS IN NO WAY RELATED TO THE ABUSE AND NEGLECT WORK THAT OUR AGENCY DOES.
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SOME KEY DATES. WE WE LAUNCHED THE HOTLINE ON NINE ONE OF 2025, AND THE TEXT FUNCTIONALITY WENT LIVE ON TEN SIX.WE ABSORBED THAT TRIAD LINE THAT I MENTIONED ON 1031 AND AS, LIKE AS OUR DATA COMES IN, WE'VE ALREADY RECEIVED MORE CALLS PER MONTH THAN THAT LINE WOULD RECEIVE IN A YEAR.
AND SO OUR, OUR PAID SEARCH CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED ON JANUARY OF THIS YEAR, EARLIER EARLIER THIS YEAR.
AND THEN IN MAY OF 2026, WE HAVE A BROADER AWARENESS CAMPAIGN THAT'S GOING TO BEGIN.
THAT'S GOING TO INCLUDE TV, RADIO AND LARGE FORMAT PRINT.
SO WE'VE GOT A LOT OF REALLY GOOD WORK GOING ON THERE.
AND THE PAID SEARCH IS REALLY GOING TO ENSURE THAT DFS APPEARS WHEN SOMEBODY IS ACTIVELY SEARCHING FOR THIS TYPE OF INFORMATION. SO IT'LL BE REALLY IMPORTANT. AGAIN, MEETING THOSE CAREGIVERS WHERE THEY ARE TO MEET THEIR NEEDS.
AND ONE OTHER IMPORTANT POINT ABOUT THIS HOTLINE.
WE DEFINITELY WELCOME PROFESSIONAL CALLERS. THAT IS THE NUMBER ONE.
LIKE THAT'S USUALLY WHO CALLS IN AND THEY'RE ASKING QUESTIONS.
AND SO THE HOTLINE CAN REALLY BE USED FOR CAREGIVERS AND PARENTS WHO ARE IN CRISIS.
THE SECOND CAMPAIGN I WANT TO MENTION WHICH COINCIDES REALLY WELL WITH JORDAN'S UPDATE THE KINSHIP, WE HAVE A KINSHIP CAMPAIGN GOING ON RIGHT NOW AS WELL.
AND SO WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO WORK REALLY CLOSELY WITH HHS ON THAT RELEASE AND SUPPORT THEM IN THAT WAY.
FOSTER HOME VERIFICATION GUIDANCE SO EVERY KINSHIP CAREGIVER RECEIVES A KINSHIP MANUAL AT PLACEMENT.
THIS LINKS DIRECTLY TO THE KINSHIP WEBSITE AND THE HUB FOR ALL CAMPAIGN MATERIALS.
AND OUR PUBLIC WEBSITE WAS ALSO STREAMLINED TO MAKE RESOURCES EASIER TO FIND AND ACCESS.
SO WE'VE ALREADY RECEIVED SOME SOME FEEDBACK FROM CAREGIVERS AND STAFF, AND THEY REPORT THAT THE WEBSITE IS DEFINITELY MUCH EASIER TO NAVIGATE A LOT MORE USER FRIENDLY AND IS HELPFUL IN UNDERSTANDING AVAILABLE BENEFITS.
AND WE ALSO HAVE EARLY FEEDBACK FROM THE REGIONS AND OUR PARTNERS THAT HAS BEEN REALLY POSITIVE, ESPECIALLY AROUND THE VIDEO CONTENT AND TESTIMONIALS THAT WE'RE SHARING.
AND AGAIN, THIS IS A MULTI-FORMAT OUTREACH CAMPAIGN WHERE WE'VE GOT VIDEOS, SOCIAL MEDIA AND WEB CONTENT, AND WE HAVE A PHASE TWO COMPONENT THAT ARE PLANNED TO RELEASE LATER THIS YEAR, AND THAT WILL INCLUDE A KINSHIP CHRONICLES PODCAST AND MORE VIDEOS HIGHLIGHTING REAL KINSHIP FAMILIES.
WITH EXPANDED COMMUNICATION CHANNELS, FAMILIES HAVE MORE ACCESS TO CRITICAL SUPPORT.
AND WE JUST REALLY THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNER AGENCIES IN YOUR WORK AND SUPPORT IN THESE AREAS.
AND SHE WILL GIVE THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL'S QUARTERLY REPORT.
THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY. THE FIRST THING THAT I JUST WANT TO TOUCH ON IS WE'VE GOTTEN A LOT OF QUESTIONS LATELY ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S LETTER THAT CAME OUT A FEW WEEKS AGO RELATED TO TO FRAUD, WASTE AND ABUSE. AND WHAT EXACTLY IS THAT GOING TO LOOK LIKE OR MEAN? I WILL SAY TEXAS IS FORTUNATE THAT WE WERE ALREADY DOING A LOT OF WORK IN THESE SPACES THAT WERE IDENTIFIED AS, AS HAVING A LOT OF FRAUD IN OTHER STATES. SO BETWEEN HSCS OVERSIGHT AND OUR WORK, WE'RE ALREADY WORKING IN A LOT OF THESE SPACES.
OUR DATA TEAM IS GOING TO TAKE A DEEPER DIVE ON THESE DIFFERENT TOPICS.
FROM A DATA PERSPECTIVE, IF WE IDENTIFY ANY PROVIDERS WHO WARRANT FURTHER LOOK AT WHAT THEY'RE DOING, AND THEN WE'LL REVIEW THOSE THROUGH OUR CURRENT PROCESSES, WHICH MIGHT BE AN INVESTIGATION, AUDIT OR UTILIZATION REVIEW DEPENDING ON WHAT WE'RE SEEING IN THE DATA.
[00:35:01]
SO THAT'S THAT'S HOW WE'RE MOVING FORWARD IN THAT AREA JUST SOME ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND, AND WORK THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING THAT I THAT.I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT ONE THROUGH JANUARY 1ST OF THIS YEAR.
WE'VE ALREADY COLLECTED $112 MILLION IN RECOVERIES.
WE SHOULD BE GETTING OUR OUR FEBRUARY NUMBERS ANY DAY NOW.
A COUPLE CASES TO HIGHLIGHT. WE'VE BEEN SEEING A LOT OF BILLING IN PRIVATE DUTY NURSING RELATED TO AN LVN PROVIDING THE SERVICES, BUT BILLING AS AN RN.
AND WE RECENTLY SETTLED A CASE FOR $1.7 MILLION WITH A CLINIC IN THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY.
SO NOT A NOT A SMALL SMALL ISSUE THAT WE'RE, THAT WE'RE SEEING IN THAT SPACE.
WE FOCUS A LOT ON RECOVERIES, BUT EXCLUSION IS ANOTHER TOOL THAT WE HAVE.
SO IT'S A IT'S AN IMPORTANT TOOL FOR PROTECTING OUR PATIENTS AS WELL AS PROTECTING OUR DOLLARS.
AND THE SECOND QUARTER ENDS IN A FEW WEEKS, AND YOU'LL BE ABLE TO READ UP IN OUR NEXT QUARTERLY REPORT ABOUT SOME OF OUR OTHER METRICS AND CASES AND THINGS LIKE THAT, IF YOU'RE INTERESTED. SO I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME THIS MORNING.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS BILES, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO COLLABORATE WITH YOUR OFFICE AS AS WE WORK TO ENSURE THAT BOTH ON THE FRONT END AND THE BACK END, THAT OUR PROGRAM INTEGRITY REMAINS STRONG IN THE PROGRAMS THAT WE ADMINISTER.
THIS CONCLUDES AGENDA ITEM ONE MEMBERS. SO WE WILL MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM TWO.
[2. Rule proposals]
AGENDA ITEM TWO ARE RULE PROPOSALS, AND THE RULES ARE DIVIDED INTO THREE SECTIONS ON THE AGENDA.AGENDA ITEM TWO A IS THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE ACT PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD THAT HAS CLOSED.
THERE ARE NO RULE PROPOSALS LISTED UNDER AGENDA ITEM 2A1.
SO WE WILL MOVE TO AGENDA ITEM TWO B RULE PROPOSALS THAT HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE TEXAS REGISTER FOR PUBLICATION, IN WHICH THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD REQUIRED BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE ACT HAS NOT CLOSED AS OF THE DATE OF THIS COUNCIL MEETING.
DOES ANY MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON ANY OF THE RULES AND AGENDA ITEM TO BE? HEARING NONE, I OPEN THE FLOOR TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
MISS KATE BROWN ARE THERE PUBLIC COMMENT CARDS? EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER THERE IS ONE PUBLIC COMMENT REGISTRANT FOR AGENDA ITEM TWO B AT THIS TIME, MISS BUCK RAGLAND WILL READ THE RULE SUMMARY FOR AGENDA ITEM TO BE ONE.
AGENDA ITEM TO BE ONE. RULE 26 R030. THE TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE COMMISSION PROPOSES AMENDMENTS TO RULES IN TEXAS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE TITLE ONE, PART 15, CHAPTER 355, SUBCHAPTER J PURCHASED HEALTH SERVICE.
SECTION 35 5.8443 CONCERNING REIMBURSEMENT METHODOLOGY FOR SCHOOL HEALTH AND RELATED SERVICES IN SECTION 355.8600 CONCERNING REIMBURSEMENT METHODOLOGY FOR AMBULANCE SERVICES.
THE RULE UPDATES CHANGES WHEN REPORTS ARE DUE AND AFFECTS HOW UPCOMING REPORTS ARE SUBMITTED.
THESE AMENDMENTS GIVE AMBULANCES AND SCHOOL HEALTH RELATED SERVICE PROVIDERS MORE TIME TO FILE THEIR REPORTS, MAKE THEIR PROCESS EASIER, AND USE MORE MODERN METHODS FOR REPORTING.
I WILL NOW PROVIDE THE PUBLIC COMMENT, LOGISTICAL ANNOUNCEMENTS.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION, IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT, PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY. EACH COMMENTER WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO PROVIDE THEIR COMMENTS.
YOU MUST CONCLUDE WITH YOUR REMARKS. PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT TIME LIMITATIONS.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION SHOULD NOT BE SHARED.
AS A REMINDER, COMMENTERS MUST COMPLY WITH APPLICABLE FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS AND REGULATIONS REGARDING ACCESS, USE OF DISCLOSURE OF HEALTH INFORMATION, OR OTHER SENSITIVE PERSONAL INFORMATION.
[00:40:08]
DRUG ALCOHOL ABUSE AND TREATMENT. AND TEXAS HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE, CHAPTER 611 .006, WHICH RESTRICTS DISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION OR RECORDS. AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD AND CALL ON CARLYN KELLER.LIMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO THE TOPIC FOR WHICH YOU'RE REGISTERED TO SPEAK ON.
DO NOT SPEAK ON THE BEHALF OF ANOTHER PERSON WHO HAS BEEN COMMENTED ON.
YOU WILL HAVE A THREE MINUTE TIME LIMIT AT WHICH THE SLIDE WILL INDICATE THE END OF YOUR REMARKS.
PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL OF OTHERS AND CONCLUDE YOUR REMARKS IMMEDIATELY.
GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND COMMITTEE. THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
I'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE PROGRAM SINCE 92 FIRST AS A TEACHER, THEN AS A DIAGNOSTICIAN AND AS A DIRECTOR, AND NOW VERY DIRECTLY IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM AS STEPS.
AND THE UPDATED TRAINING FORMAT REFLECTS REAL EFFORT TO MODERNIZE AND IMPROVE THE PROGRAM.
IT'S REALLY ABOUT THE PREDICTABILITY AND THE NEED FOR COMMUNICATION.
HOWEVER, WHEN FIXED PARAMETERS ARE REMOVED FROM A RULE, IT BECOMES EVEN MORE IMPORTANT TO ESTABLISH CLEAR GUARDRAILS AROUND NOTICE AND IMPLEMENTATION. DISTRICTS CAN COMPLY WITH CLEAR EXPECTATIONS.
WHAT CREATES DIFFICULTY IS WHEN TIMELINES OR INTERPRETATIONS SHIFT WITHOUT A DEFINED NOTICE STANDARDS, PARTICULARLY FOR OUR SMALL AND RURAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
PREDICTABILITY IS CRITICAL FOR STAFFING, DOCUMENTATION, AND BUDGETING.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE HHS TO PAIR THIS FLEXIBILITY WITH MINIMUM NOTICE REQUIREMENTS AND CLEAR SUBMISSION CONFIRMATION STANDARDS SO DISTRICTS KNOW EXACTLY WHAT'S EXPECTED AND WHEN. I ALSO NOTE THAT THE PROPOSAL REFERENCES THE REMOVAL OF SIGNATURE REQUIREMENTS IN ONE SECTION, BUT THOSE SIGNATURE REQUIREMENTS ARE IN THE DRAFT.
ELSEWHERE, CLARIFYING THE LANGUAGE WOULD HELP PREVENT CONFUSION AND UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.
I SUPPORT HHS HAVING FLEXIBILITY. IT NEEDS TO MANAGE SYSTEM TRANSITIONS AND BEYOND MY.
MY REQUEST IS SIMPLY THAT FLEXIBILITY BE ACCOMPANIED WITH CLEAR COMMUNICATION STANDARDS AND A PREDICTABLE IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE SO DISTRICTS CAN REMAIN SUCCESSFUL AS PARTICIPANTS IN SHARS. IT'S MY INTENT TO PROVIDE WRITTEN INPUT FOR THROUGH THE REGISTRY ONCE THIS IS PUBLISHED. BUT I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK WITH THE COUNCIL AT THIS TIME.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
AND I'VE CONCLUDED MY REMARKS. THANK YOU. MA'AM.
EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER MUTH. THIS CONCLUDES THE PUBLIC COMMENT.
REGISTRANTS FOR AGENDA ITEM TWO BE. THANK YOU.
WE'LL NOW MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM TWO. SEE THE RULE PROPOSALS UNDER ITEM TWO C HAVE NOT YET BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE TEXAS REGISTER FOR PUBLICATION AND PUBLIC COMMENT UNDER THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE ACT, AND THERE ARE NO RULE PROPOSALS LISTED UNDER AGENDA ITEM TWO C, SO THAT WILL CONCLUDE AGENDA ITEM TWO. AND NEXT WE WILL MOVE TO AGENDA ITEM THREE.
[3. Advisory committee recommendations]
AGENDA ITEM THREE IS ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS.GOOD MORNING, EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS MARK CARMONA, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
[00:45:05]
ORGANIZATIONS OR PROS. TEXAS LACKS A CLEAR DEFINITION OF PROS AND STATUTE, LIMITING ACCESS TO FUNDING, PROCUREMENT SYSTEMS, AND EQUITABLE RECOGNITION.OUR PROPOSAL IS TO AMEND STATUTE OR ADOPT RULES TO DEFINE PROS AS NONPROFIT, PEER GOVERNED, NON-CLINICAL ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES.
OUR SECOND RECOMMENDATION IS TO CREATE SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE AND PAYMENT MODELS FOR PROS.
OUR PROPOSAL WOULD BE TO PROVIDE DIRECT INFRASTRUCTURE GRANTS FOR STAFFING SPACE AND TECHNOLOGY TO DEVELOP PEER SPECIFIC CONTRACTS WITH FIVE YEAR MINIMUM TERMS TO DIRECTLY CONTRACT WITH PROS NOT SOLELY VIA LMW-HA OR MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATIONS, TO PRESERVE FIDELITY AND TO ALIGN PERFORMANCE MEASURES WITH RECOVERY OUTCOMES SUCH AS HOUSING STABILITY, EMPLOYMENT AND REDUCES COSTS. REDUCED CRISIS SERVICE USE.
OUR THIRD PROPOSAL IS TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT TRAINING FOR LMW-HA, LBAS AND IDAS.
DESPITE THE PASSAGE OF SENATE BILL SEVEN DURING THE 83RD LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION IN 2013, AND THE FEDERAL HOME AND COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES SETTINGS RULE INDIVIDUALS WITH CO-OCCURRING INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES OR IDD, AND MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WITH CHALLENGING ID RELATED BEHAVIORS, CONTINUE TO FACE BARRIERS TO COORDINATED CARE DUE TO SYSTEM SILOS.
OUR PROPOSAL WOULD BE THAT HHS SHOULD DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT TRAINING FOR LMHC AND IDAS TO CLARIFY THEIR STATUTORY DUTY TO COLLABORATE. THE TRAINING SHOULD CLARIFY LEGAL OBLIGATIONS FOR COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE THREE LMHC, LBAS AND IDAS AND TO PROMOTE COMPLIANCE WITH SB SEVEN, HSC CHAPTER 533 AND THE HCBS SETTINGS RULE, AND TO STANDARDIZE JOINT SERVICES PLANNING AND PERSON CENTERED PLANNING REQUIREMENTS ACROSS THE AGENCIES.
OUR FINAL RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE TO UPDATE AND ARCHIVE HHS REPORTS TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND THE LONG TERM PRESERVATION OF IMPORTANT INFORMATION.
STATE AGENCIES HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT THEIR REPORTS ARE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC, AND PROPERLY ARCHIVED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. THIS INVOLVES ADHERING TO POLICIES AND BEST PRACTICES RELATED TO MAINTAINING ACCURATE LINKS AND PRESERVING THE REPORTS.
THESE ARE OUR RECOMMENDATIONS AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. CAMERON, AND THANK YOU FOR YOU YOUR SERVICE ON OUR ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
I'D LIKE TO SEE IF ANY OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU. COULD COULD YOU TELL ME A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE LAST RECOMMENDATION AROUND THE PRESERVATION OF THE REPORT AND THE LINKS AND WHAT WHAT YOU ALL MEAN BY THAT? AS I'M STILL LEARNING SOME OF THE, THE ASPECTS OF THE AGENCY OPERATIONS.
SO I JUST WANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT ISSUE A LITTLE BIT MORE.
SURE. I THINK WHAT WE REALIZED WAS OVER THE YEARS, THERE HAS BEEN A KIND OF SUCCESSION.
AS WE DEVELOP OUR ANNUAL REPORTS, THERE'S BEEN INFORMATION THAT'S KIND OF BEEN COLLECTED OVER TIME.
AND THEN SECONDLY, WHAT ARE WE LEARNING FROM THAT TO BUILD ON THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS MOVING FORWARD.
SO IT'S ALMOST LIKE A KIND OF AN ONGOING DASHBOARD OF RECOMMENDATIONS THAT THE BACK IS MAKING.
AND THEN HOW DO WE KEEP THIS INFORMATION? BECAUSE SOMETIMES IT'S USEFUL FOR US TO BE ABLE TO GO BACK, ESPECIALLY IN AN AREA THAT WE CAN FIND IT AND BE ABLE TO SAY, WE CAN REALLY DROP THIS RECOMMENDATION BECAUSE THIS IS REALLY BEEN ADDRESSED OR IT'S CHANGED, OR THERE'S MAYBE A NEED FOR NEW INFORMATION THAT WOULD BETTER INFORM OUR STRATEGY MOVING FORWARD.
I THINK IT ALSO HELPS US AS WE BETTER DEFINE OUR SUBCOMMITTEES, OUR SUBCOMMITTEES.
STILL, YOU KNOW, THE QUESTION WOULD BE, ARE SUBCOMMITTEES STILL VITAL OR VIABLE? DO WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE MAKEUP OF OUR SUBCOMMITTEES? DO WE NEED WOULD WE NEED A SUBCOMMITTEE? WOULD WE NEED THIS SUBCOMMITTEE? HAS OUR SUBCOMMITTEE ON ACCESS TO CARE DONE ENOUGH IN THIS SPACE? DOES IT NEED TO KIND OF CHANGE? SO THOSE ARE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT WE'RE EMERGING.
[00:50:03]
AND I THINK BASED OFF OF THAT, WE WERE ABLE TO KIND OF SAY, IF THERE'S A SPACE AND A PLACE TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT SOME OF THIS, IT WOULD BE USEFUL FOR US. OKAY, GREAT. THAT WAS SUPER HELPFUL.AND SO YOU I MEAN, IT SOUNDS LIKE FROM A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE, EVEN JUST TRACKING OF AND A LOT OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT THAT THE COMMITTEE BRINGS FORWARD, OF COURSE, ALSO INVOLVE THE LEGISLATURE TAKING ACTION ON THOSE, BUT JUST SORT OF HAVING AN INVENTORY THAT WAS AVAILABLE FOR YOU ALL TO REFER BACK TO ON THE, THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND WHAT HAPPENED, IF ANYTHING, WITH THOSE IS REALLY WHAT I'M HEARING YOU SAY.
THANK YOU. THAT WAS SUPER HELPFUL. THANKS, COMMISSIONER. IF THERE'S NO OTHER QUESTIONS.
I OPEN THE FLOOR TO PUBLIC COMMENT. ARE THERE DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT CARDS ON THIS AGENDA ITEM? COMMISSIONER MUTH. THERE IS ONE PUBLIC COMMENT FOR AGENDA ITEM THREE A.
AT THIS TIME I WILL CALL ON JORDAN SMELLY. MR. SMELLY, REMEMBER TO STATE YOUR NAME AND THE ORGANIZATION YOU ARE REPRESENTING TODAY PRIOR TO SPEAKING.
LIMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO THE TOPIC FOR WHICH YOU ARE REGISTERED TO SPEAK ON.
DO NOT SPEAK ON THE BEHALF OF OTHER. ANOTHER PERSON WHO HAS COMMENTED.
YOU HAVE A THREE MINUTE TIME LIMIT AT WHICH THE SLIDE WILL INDICATE THE END OF YOUR REMARKS.
PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL OF OTHERS AND CONCLUDE YOUR REMARKS IMMEDIATELY.
GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS JORDAN SMELLY, SO I AM A CERTIFIED MENTAL HEALTH PEER SPECIALIST AS WELL AS SELF-ADVOCATE. SO REPRESENTING MYSELF, I ALSO SERVED ON THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE AS WELL AS THE PEER AND FAMILY PARTNER SERVICES SUBCOMMITTEE WHEN THESE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE DEVELOPED BY THE BE HACK.
I'M HERE TO CLARIFY. RECOMMENDATION THREE WAS NOT SIMPLY ABOUT ADDRESSING CRISIS TRAINING MODELS.
IT WAS ABOUT SYSTEMIC FRAGMENTATION BETWEEN LMAS, LBAS AND LTAS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH CO-OCCURRING ID AND MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS. THE RESPONSE TO THE RECOMMENDATION EMPHASIZED THAT IN MOST REGIONS, THE SAME ENTITY SERVES AS BOTH MHA AND LYDDA, AS REFERENCED AND REFERENCED CRISIS INTERVENTION SPECIALIST TRAINING TIMELINES, BUT STRUCTURAL DESIGNATION AND CRISIS RESPONSE TRAINING WERE NOT THE CONCERNS RAISED. THE CONCERN IS THAT INDIVIDUALS CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE PARALLEL SERVICE PLANS, SILOED DIVISIONS AND INCONSISTENT PARTICIPATION EVEN WITHIN THE SAME AGENCY.
THAT RAISES COMPLIANCE QUESTIONS UNDER THE HCBS PERSON CENTERED PLANNING RULE.
SENATE BILL SEVEN FROM THE 2013 LEGISLATIVE TEXAS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE, CHAPTER THREE 533, AND THE ADA'S INTEGRATION MANDATED UNDER OLMSTEAD.
CRISIS STABILIZATION IS REACTIVE. THE RECOMMENDATION WAS ABOUT PROACTIVE INTEGRATION, INTEGRATION, AND ENFORCEABLE COORDINATION. I ALSO WANT TO RESPECTFULLY NOTE A STRUCTURAL BARRIER THAT IS AFFECTING THIS WORK.
H.H. GUIDANCE REQUIRING 3D HAT MEMBERS TO BE PRESENT FOR THE PEER AND FAMILY PARTNER SERVICES SUBCOMMITTEE TO CONDUCT AND TO CONDUCT PRACTICE HAS IN PRACTICE PREVENTED THE SUBCOMMITTEE FROM MEETING CONSISTENTLY.
SO BASICALLY, THE REQUEST IS MAKING SURE I UNDERSTAND EVEN IF THE PERSON WITH IED HAS CHALLENGING BEHAVIORAL ISSUES, IF THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES ARE IDENTIFIED, THEY MUST THEY MUST PROVIDE SERVICES.
AND IT WOULD ALSO BE HELPFUL IF Y'ALL WOULD ADDRESS THE BARRIER THE SUBCOMMITTEE IS FACING SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE OUR WORK AND ADDRESS THESE CHALLENGES THROUGH FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS.
I'M HERE. I BELIEVE WE HAVE A QUESTION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. THIS IS MICHELLE LEHTO, CHIEF PROGRAM AND SERVICES OFFICER.
[00:55:01]
CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE, A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE BARRIER YOU MENTIONED TO? IT SOUNDED LIKE A BARRIER TO CONTINUING TO MEET.YES, MA'AM. SO OUR UNDERSTANDING FROM OUR LIAISON FOR THE PAIR AND FAMILY, FAMILY PARTNER SERVICES SUBCOMMITTEE, WHO I BELIEVE IS THE SAME LIAISON FOR THE BACK AS A WHOLE.
ACCORDING TO HER, IS IS SAYING THAT IF THE PARENT FAMILY PARTNER SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING CONVENES AND THERE ARE NOT AT LEAST THREE CURRENT MEMBERS ON THE BACK IN ATTENDANCE TO THAT MEETING, THEN THE MEETING MUST BE CANCELED. WE CANNOT HOLD ANY DISCUSSIONS.
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS CAN'T TALK ABOUT ANYTHING RELATED TO THE SUBCOMMITTEE.
THE SUBCOMMITTEE CANNOT MEET. THEREFORE, THIS SUBCOMMITTEE HAS NOT MET SINCE JULY OF 2025 BECAUSE OF THIS. THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION. IT'S SOMETHING I'M GOING TO TAKE BACK AND LOOK INTO.
THANK YOU. MEMBERS, ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? HAVE WE DO WE HAVE ANYONE ELSE REGISTERED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER MUTH. THIS CONCLUDES THE PUBLIC COMMENT FOR AGENDA ITEM THREE A GREAT.
WE WILL MOVE FORWARD TO AGENDA ITEM THREE B AND I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE SICKLE CELL TASK FORCE CHAIR, DOCTOR FAUCI. HOPEFULLY I DID NOT JUST BUTCHER YOUR NAME.
I APOLOGIZE TO LAY OUT THE RECOMMENDATIONS PREPARED BY MEMBERS OF THE SICKLE CELL TASK FORCE.
AND YOU DID PERFECT. THAT'S MY NAME, DOCTOR. I'M A PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGIST, AND I'M A PERSON WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE, HAVING BEEN BORN WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE. AND I WANTED TO GIVE OUR SICKLE CELL TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS.
I FIRST WILL GIVE THE DISCLAIMER THAT THESE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE PREPARED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE SICKLE CELL TASK FORCE, AND THE OPINIONS AND SUGGESTIONS EXPRESSED IN THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE THE MEMBERS OWN AND DO NOT REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION, EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, OR THE TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION.
SO WITH THAT RECOMMENDATION, NUMBER ONE IS TO UPDATE THE MEDICAID MCO CONTRACT DEFINITION OF MEMBERS WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS TO INCLUDE SPECIFICALLY INCLUDE SICKLE CELL DISEASE AS AN INCLUSION CRITERION.
DOING SO WILL ENSURE THAT MEDICAID RECIPIENTS WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE RECEIVE THE ADDITIONAL SERVICES THEY NEED TO MANAGE THEIR COMPLEX HEALTH CARE NEEDS, MITIGATE COMPLICATIONS, AND PREVENT ADDITIONAL SERIOUS HEALTH OUTCOMES.
RECOMMENDATION NUMBER TWO IS TO EVALUATE OPTIONS TO INCREASE MEDICAID AND CHIP ELIGIBILITY FOR INDIVIDUALS DIAGNOSED WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE THROUGH AGE 26 YEARS OF AGE. AND THIS IS TO HELP THOSE THAT ARE IN THE GAP BETWEEN 18 YEARS OLD TO 26 YEARS OLD, WHO MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ACCESS A PARENT'S HEALTH CARE INSURANCE PLAN.
AND EXTENDING COVERAGE THROUGH THIS AGE GROUP WILL HELP WITH THOSE THAT ARE TRANSITIONING BETWEEN PEDIATRIC AND ADULT CARE, WHICH IS A HIGH RISK TIME PERIOD FOR SICKLE CELL DISEASE.
RECOMMENDATION NUMBER THREE. USE AVAILABLE RESOURCES TO STUDY THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL HOME MODELS, AND WAYS TO CREATE AND FUND COMPREHENSIVE SICKLE CELL CARE CENTERS AS A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.
THE TASK FORCE IS RECOMMENDING STUDYING THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE SICKLE CELL MEDICAL HOME MODELS FOR BOTH URBAN AND RURAL TEXAS COMMUNITIES AS A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. AS THESE MODELS CAN IMPROVE OUTCOMES AND WE RECOMMEND BASING THEM OFF OF EXISTING STATE MODELS FOR PATIENTS WITH COMPLEX CARE NEEDS AND THOSE REFERENCED NATIONAL BODIES, SUCH AS AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEMATOLOGY.
THE THIRD RECOMMENDATION, AND I APOLOGIZE. MAYBE FOURTH, I'LL JUST SAY THE RECOMMENDATION PARTNER WITH MEDICAID AND CHIP SERVICES TO PURSUE SICKLE CELL DISEASE SPECIFIC QUALITY METRICS THROUGH ONE OR MORE OF THE TEXAS MEDICAID'S QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS. THE TASK FORCE RECOMMENDS THAT PARTNERING WITH MEDICAID AND CHIP SERVICES TO PURSUE SICKLE CELL DISEASE SPECIFIC QUALITY METRICS, INCLUDING THE RATES OF STROKE SCREENING, HYDROXYUREA PRESCRIPTIONS, PENICILLIN PRESCRIPTIONS THROUGH ONE OR MORE OF TEXAS MEDICAID QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
[01:00:01]
PROGRAMS. FOR EXAMPLE, THE EXTERNAL QUALITY REVIEW ORGANIZATION WILL ALLOW THE STATE TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE SICKLE CELL LANDSCAPE AND THE TREATMENTS PROVIDED TO PATIENTS, AS WELL AS ASSESS FOR POTENTIAL GAPS IN CARE.THIS WILL SUPPORT INITIATIVES TO. THIS RECOMMENDATION IS TO SUPPORT INITIATIVES UNDER MANAGED CARE PLANS TO PROMOTE TIMELY, EVIDENCE INFORMED HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO THE VARIOUS ENROLLEES, AND WE RECOMMEND THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES COLLABORATE WITH HHS TO CREATE QUALITY CARE PLANS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE, AND THAT WILL GUIDE BOTH MEDICAID AND PRIVATE PAYERS IN PRIORITIZING AND REINFORCING ACCESS AND PREVENTIVE CARE.
THE NEXT RECOMMENDATION IS TO UPDATE TEXAS HEALTH STEPS ONLINE PROVIDER EDUCATION MODEL ON SICKLE CELL DISEASE, SO IT IS MORE COMPREHENSIVE AND IS ELIGIBLE FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT.
AND I'LL GO TO. THE NEXT RECOMMENDATION IS TO UPDATE THE TEXAS HEALTH STEPS PERIODIC PERIODICITY SCHEDULE TO INCLUDE SICKLE CELL TRAIT COUNSELING FOR TEENAGERS WHO WERE DIAGNOSED WITH SICKLE CELL TRAIT AT BIRTH, OR HAVE AN UNKNOWN STATUS.
THE TASK FORCE RECOMMENDS THIS ITEM BECAUSE EDUCATION AND IMPROVED INDIVIDUAL AWARENESS OF SICKLE CELL TRAIT WILL HELP ADOLESCENTS UNDERSTAND POTENTIAL RISK AND PREPARE THEM PRIOR TO FAMILY PLANNING DECISIONS. THE NEXT RECOMMENDATION IS TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF A STATE LEVEL SICKLE CELL QUALITY RATING SYSTEM FOR HEALTHCARE FACILITIES.
WE ARE HOPING THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES WILL BE ABLE TO USE THIS DATA FOR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT EFFORTS AT THE FACILITIES AND ALSO AT THE HIGHER LEVEL IN REGARDS TO THE STATE PRIORITIES. OUR NEXT RECOMMENDATION IS TO COLLABORATE WITH HHS TO INCORPORATE A REPORTING PROCESS FOR SICKLE CELL CARE PROVIDED BY HEALTHCARE FACILITIES INTO AN EXISTING STATEWIDE SYSTEM.
THIS RECOMMENDATION IS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES TO COLLABORATE WITH HHS TO INCORPORATE A REPORTING PROCESS FOR HEALTHCARE FACILITIES THAT PROVIDE SICKLE CELL CARE INTO AN EXISTING COMPLAINT OR INCIDENT INTAKE SYSTEM.
AND WE'RE HOPING THAT THIS WILL HELP PATIENTS TO HAVE A SPACE TO REPORT ANY ISSUES THAT AND CARE AND BARRIERS AND GAPS AND THAT THE FACILITIES MAY ALSO BE ABLE TO SELF-REPORT. AND THIS CAN HELP DETERMINE IF THERE'S A REGIONAL GAPS OR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN URBAN AND RURAL GAPS AS WELL.
OUR NEXT RECOMMENDATION IS TO DEVELOP PARTNERSHIPS WITH TEXAS COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TO CREATE SICKLE CELL AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS AND IDENTIFY FUNDING FOR STATEWIDE AWARENESS ACTIVITIES. I WILL SAY THAT THIS RECOMMENDATION, I BELIEVE, HAS COME UP ALMOST EVERY YEAR. AND WE WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES TO COORDINATE WITH SICKLE CELL COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND PARTNER WITH TEXAS COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, INCLUDING MEDICAL SCHOOLS, TO CREATE AND LAUNCH IMPACTFUL AND RELEVANT PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS AND PRESS RELEASES.
AND WE'RE HOPING TO HIGHLIGHT TWO SPECIAL TIMES IN THE YEAR, SUCH AS SEPTEMBER SICKLE CELL AWARENESS MONTH AND JUNE 19TH, WHICH IS THE WORLD SICKLE CELL DAY. OUR NEXT RECOMMENDATION IS TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF THE TEXAS SICKLE CELL DISEASE COLLECTION PROGRAM AND TO EXPAND THE CURRENT DATA COLLECTION ACTIVITIES. WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT TEXAS HAS A SICKLE CELL DISEASE COLLECTION PROGRAM THAT IS UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES TEAM. AND WE WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS THAT HAS BEEN MADE.
AND WE JUST WANT THIS RECOMMENDATION TO OFFER ONGOING SUPPORT FOR THE TASK FORCE FROM THE TASK FORCE TO THIS GROUP AS THEY CONTINUE TO MEET THE GOALS OF THE GRANT AND ALSO AS THEY WORK TO ACHIEVE THE GOALS OF THE NEW SICKLE CELL DISEASE REGISTRY AS WELL.
I BELIEVE THAT CONCLUDES THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
[01:05:02]
AND AT THIS TIME, I'LL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS TODAY.AND AND THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING ON THE TASK FORCE AND YOUR LEADERSHIP OF THE TASK FORCE.
WE APPRECIATE THE THOROUGHNESS AND THE THOUGHT THAT WENT INTO THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
I WILL ASK MY COLLEAGUES IF WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
I SEE THAT EMILY HAS A QUESTION FOR YOU. YES.
HI. THANK YOU. AND THIS IS ACTUALLY A COMMENT I JUST WANTED TO SAY ON THE FIRST RECOMMENDATION ABOUT INCLUDING INDIVIDUALS WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE AS MEMBERS WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS AND THE MANAGED CARE CONTRACTS. WE HAVE DONE THAT AND IT WILL BE EFFECTIVE MARCH 1ST. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
REALLY APPRECIATE IT. AND IT'S WONDERFUL TO HEAR THAT.
THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? YES, DOCTOR SHUFORD.
HI. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THOSE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS.
HAS DSHS EVER WORKED WITH YOU ALL ON PUBLIC AWARENESS, ESPECIALLY WITH, SAY, SOCIAL MEDIA OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT ON THOSE DAYS, OR HAS THAT NOT HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY? THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT QUESTION.
AND IT'S INTERESTING HOW MUCH YOU CAN DO WITH THE CONCEPT OF A ZERO BUDGET CAMPAIGN.
THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO USE THEIR INTERNAL RESOURCES TO DO BOTH SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS, INCLUDING A WELL RECEIVED YOUTUBE VIDEO THAT SPOTLIGHTS EDUCATION ON SICKLE CELL DISEASE, AND ALSO VARIOUS OTHER PUBLICATIONS AND INFORMATION ON THEIR WEBSITE.
I MENTIONED THE SICKLE CELL DISEASE DATA COLLECTION PROGRAM.
THEIR WEBSITE ALSO CHAMPIONS EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS FOR SICKLE CELL DISEASE.
WE ARE HOPING THAT HAVING A BUDGET AND ALSO HAVING A A THE STATE VIEW PLUS WHERE A LOT OF PEOPLE NEED THE INFORMATION, SUCH AS UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES AND MEDICAL SCHOOLS, WE'RE HOPING THAT THAT PARTNERSHIP CAN REACH EVEN MORE PEOPLE THAN WHAT WE'VE ALREADY REACHED.
I WILL SAY THAT OUR REPORTS AT THE APPENDIX APPENDICES, THEY DO GIVE WHAT THE TRACTION HAS BEEN WITH THE VARIOUS SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS. SO WE'RE GRATEFUL TO THEM. AND AND YES, WE HAVE HAD SOME, SOME GOOD SOCIAL MEDIA EFFORTS THROUGH THE STATE.
THANK YOU. WE WILL MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM FOUR.
[4. Recent Rule Adoptions - Information item not for discussion]
THE RULES LISTED UNDER ITEM FOUR HAVE EITHER BEEN SUBMITTED FOR ADOPTION OR PUBLISHED AS ADOPTED IN THE TEXAS REGISTER SINCE THE LAST EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING ON JANUARY 15TH, 2026 AND ARE PROVIDED FOR YOUR INFORMATION. SO THAT BRINGS US TO AGENDA ITEM FIVE AND CONCLUDES ALL BUSINESS ON THE AGENDA.THANK YOU TO COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR YOUR TIME. PLEASE NOTE FOR THE RECORD THAT IT IS 11:08 A.M.
AND THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.