[00:00:02]
>> RECORDING IS ENABLED. >> GOOD MORNING.
[1. Welcome and opening remarks]
THE MEETING WILL COME TO ORDER. MAY THE RECORD REFLECT THE MEETING OF THE HHSC EXECUTIVE COUNCIL CONVENED AT 10:00 A.M.ON JULY 16TH. KAYLA, WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE
ROLL. >> MEMBERS WHEN I CALL YOUR NAME, PLEASE RESPOND WITH HERE OR PRESENT.
>> STEPHANIE MOOT H. JORDAN DICKSON.
>> PRESENT. >> SYLVIA COFFMAN.
>> HILLY DAVIS FOR MOLLY REAGAN. >> THANK YOU.
>> RAYMOND CHARLES WINTER. >> HERE.
>> AUDREY O'NEIL. >> JENNIFER SIMMS FOR AUDREY
O'NEIL. >> THIS CONCLUDES ROLL CALL.
>> THANK YOU. FEW OPENING REMARKS.
I WANTED TO GIVE EVERYBODY AN UPDATE ON THE LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATION REQUEST DUE IN AUGUST.
TRE, YOU CAN GIVE ME A SIGNAL IF ANYTHING I SAY IS INCORRECT.
WE ARE FINALIZING THE LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATION REQUEST FOR THE UP COMING LEGISLATIVE SEASON AND GUIDANCE BY THE SPEAKER TO REDUCE THE BASE BUDGET BY 3%, WE HAVE SEVERAL OTHER MAJOR FACTORS THAT ARE INFLUENCING OUR FUNDING NEEDS FOR THE NEXT BIANNUM. THOSE ARE OPERATIONAL COSTS FOR THE NEW STATE HOSPITALS AND CONTRACTED BEDS THAT THE LEGISLATURE INVESTED IN LAST SESSION EXPECTED TO BE AROUND $500 MILLION. AND INCREASE IN THE STATE'S SHARE OF SNAP ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS FROM 50 TO 75% IS ESTIMATED TO COST 115 MILLION ANNUALLY.
AND A HUGE IMPACT IS GOING TO BE NEW FEDERAL FUNDING REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO SNAP PAYMENT ACCURACY.
BASED ON OUR CURRENT ERROR RATE THE GENERAL COST INCREASE ESTIMATE IS $1.5 BILLION. HOWEVER, THAT GR INCREASE COULD BE AS HIGH AS 1.8 BILLION FOR THE BIANNUM.
THIS ADDRESSING OUR ACCURACY RATE AND REDUCING THIS IMPACT COMMISSIONER HAS MADE CLEAR IS NUMBER 1 PRIORITY AS AN AGENCY AND WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.
ON SO HAPPIER/SAD NEWS. WE HAVE STAFFING ANNOUNCEMENTS ON THE EXECUTIVE TEAM. AFTER THREE YEARS OF SERVING AS THE STATE MEDICAID DIRECTOR EMILY WILL BE MOVING ON.
WE WILL MISS HER DEARLY. SHE HAD A HUGE POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE AGENCY AND MEDICAID PROGRAMS. FORTUNATELY A FAMILIAR FACE STEPHANIE STEVENS OUR PREVIOUS DIRECTOR WILL BE JOINING US EFFECTIVE AUGUST 15TH.
DID YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING? NO PRESSURE.
>> THANK YOU. IT'S AN HONOR TO SERVE FROM THE ROLE AND SERVE AT HHSC FOR SO MANY YEARS.
I REALLY LOVED THE MISSION OF HHSC AND THE WORK WE DO.
I KNOW THE GREAT WORK WILL CONTINUE ON.
I WILL MISS ALL THE PEOPLE VERY MUCH.
SO THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU CHIEF.
ANOTHER ANNOUNCEMENT KAREN RAY WHO IS NOT HERE, BUT IS OUR GENERAL COUNSEL, AFTER OVER 30 YEARS OF STATE SERVICE AND OVER 25 YEARS WITH HHSC WILL BE RETIRING.
WELL DESERVED. SHE HAS HELPED THE AGENCY NAVIGATE THROUGH MANY CHANGES AND DIFFICULT TIMES AND WE WILL MISS HER DEARLY. OUR CURRENT DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF WILL BE TAKING OVER AS OUR CHIEF OF STAFF EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1ST, AND THERE COULDN'T BE A BETTER REPLACEMENT FOR KAREN. NOBODY CAN REPLACE HER.
BUT WE'RE REALLY HAPPY TO HAVE NISIA STEPPING INTO THE ROLE.
OKAY. I'M DONE WITH ANNOUNCEMENTS.
[00:05:02]
SO AMALDA THE INTERRIM COMMISSIONER WILL PROVIDE ANUPDATE OF HHSC SERVICES. >> GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.
I WANTED TO PROVIDE A FEW UPDATES ON SOME OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES THAT WE'RE MONITORING AND ENGAGED IN AND SHARE SOME POSITIVE NEWS AS WELL.
SO THE LAST TIME WE MET LAST MONTH I DID PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON NEW WORLD SCREW WORM AND DSHS CONTINUES TO PARTNER WITH THE TEXAS ANIMAL HEALTH COMMISSION AND TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE IN RESPONSE TO NEW WORLD SCREW WORM.
THANKFULLY WE DON'T HAVE ANY HUMAN CASES IN TEXAS.
BUT THE PLANNING AND THE EFFORTS AND COORDINATION ACROSS ALL STAKEHOLDERS ACROSS THE STATE IS ONGOING SO IF AND WHEN WE DO, WE WILL BE READY. WE CURRENTLY HAVE 37 ANIMAL CASES THAT HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED WITH 36 OCCURRING IN 13 TEXAS COUNTIES. SO WE CONTINUE TO PARTNER WITH THOSE OTHER AGENCIES AS WELL AS ENSURING FOOD SAFETY.
SO OUR MEAT SAFETY PROGRAMS ARE OUT THERE EVERY DAY INSPECTING EVERY ANIMAL TWICE TO ENSURE THAT THE FOOD SUPPLY IS SAFE.
ON ONE OF THE NEXT TOPICS, THAT HAS BEEN IN THE NEWS QUITE A BIT IS CYCLOSPORA AND NORMALLY WE HAVE CYCLOSPORA ACTIVITIES.
HERE IN TEXAS AND NATIONALLY WE HAVE SEEN HIGHER NUMBER OF CASES. THIS IS A PARASITE TRADITIONALLY WITHIN -- A LOT OF TIMES WITHIN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.
HERE IN TEXAS, WE CURRENTLY HAVE 68 CONFIRMED CASES, 8 PROBABLE CASES, AND WE HAVE 172 THAT ARE CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION.
WHILE WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT, WE'RE REALLY LOOKING TO SEE, YOU KNOW, WERE THEY IN SOMEONE WHO TRAVELLED TO ANOTHER COUNTRY OR IS IT ENDEMIC AND ACQUIRED IT HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.
OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE INVESTIGATION TO IDENTIFY THE SOURCE WHAT IS CAUSING INCREASED CASES. AS OF YET, THERE HAS BEEN NO IDENTIFIED SOURCE. SO THEY CONTINUE TO DO THE INVESTIGATIONS. WE ARE PARTNERING WITH ALL OF OUR LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE STATE AS WELL AS THE FEDERAL PARTNERS INVOLVED IN THE INVESTIGATIONS.
THEN MOVING ON TO SOME POSITIVE NEWS, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT OUTSTANDING WORK FROM OUR TEXAS CANCER REGISTRY.
THE TEXAS CANCER REGISTRY REMAINS ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE CANCER REGISTRIES IN THE COUNTRY.
THIS YEAR RECOGNIZED BY THREE NATIONAL PARTNERS FOR OUTSTANDING DATA QUALITY AND COMPLETENESS.
THE GOLD STANDARD CERTIFICATION FROM THE NORTH AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CENTRAL CANCER REGISTRIES, REGISTRATION OF DISTINCT DESIGNATION FOR THE CENTERS FROM DISEASE CONTROL, THE SILVER AWARD FROM THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE SURVEILLANCE EPIDEMIOLOGY AND END RESULTS PROGRAM.
THESE REFLECT THE DEDICATION OF THE STAFF AND RECOGNIZE HIGH QUALITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH DATA AND SUPPORTING BETTER HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR TEXAS. FOR THE CANCER REGISTRY DATA, OUR ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO COLLECT AND DISSEMINATE AND USE THE DATA FOR PUBLIC HEALTH AND RESEARCH EFFORTS DRIVES A LOT OF WHAT CPRID DOES AND THE BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF RESEARCH THAT NOT ONLY AFFECTS THOSE HERE IN TEXAS BUT GLOBALLY IN HOPES TO HELP IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES RELATED TO CANCER.
I'M REALLY PROUD OF ALL OF THE WORK THAT THAT TEAM HAS DONE AND THAT THEY'RE GETTING NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR THAT EFFORT.
AND THEN TO BRAG ON NOT ONLY SOME OF OUR PREPAREDNESS PARTNERS, BUT ALL THE LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE STATE, MANY OF Y'ALL KNOW WE HAVE BEEN ENJOYING THE WORLD CUP ACTIVITIES HERE IN TEXAS WE HAD QUITE A FEW GAMES.
BUT THIS PLANNING EFFORT REALLY LASTED OVER THE PAST YEAR IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT BETWEEN ALL THE FEDERAL PARTNERS, THE SECURITY PARTNERS, AND ALL THE LOCAL PARTNERS ON THE GROUND WERE WELL PREPARED IN ORDER TO ANTICIPATE THE LARGE NUMBER OF TRAVELERS COMING INTO THE STATE TO ATTEND ALL THE FUN GAMES AND OBVIOUSLY WHEN YOU HAVE A LOT OF TRAVELERS COMING IN, YOU HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN CLOSE QUARTERS. SO THERE'S ALWAYS THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INCREASED INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
SO THERE WAS A LOT OF PREP WORK THAT WENT INTO THAT IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAD A FUN AND SAFE WORLD CUP EVENT.
SO I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF THE WORK THAT OCCURRED.
AND WE DID HAVE A VERY SUCCESSFUL WORLD CUP GAMES BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD NOTHING OF SIGNIFICANCE COME OUT OTHER THAN JUST FUN WATCHING THE GAMES. AND THEN LASTLY JUST AS A REMINDER WE ARE IN THE BACK TO SCHOOL SEASON AND SO FOR PARENTS
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WITH SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN, YOU MAY HAVE RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE JUST REMINDING Y'ALL ABOUT THE VACCINATIONS FOR BACK TO SCHOOL. I URGE EVERYONE TO PAY ATTENTION TO THAT. WE KNOW THAT AS THE KIDS COME BACK, WE WANT THEM TO BE SAFE AND HEALTHY AND ENGAGED IN THEIR EDUCATION AND SO JUST AS A REMINDER FOR ALL THE PARENTS, PAY ATTENTION TO SOME OF THE NOTES AND TALK TO YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS ABOUT WHAT MAY BE REQUIRED GOING TO SCHOOL.WITH THAT TURN IT OVER. >> THANK YOU.
I NEED TO MAKE A CORRECTION TO THE STAFFING ANNOUNCEMENT.
WILL STEP IN AS THE CHIEF COUNSEL AND NOT CHIEF OF STAFF.
KATE WILL STILL BE CHIEF OF STAFF.
I'M SORRY. NOT CAFFEINATED ENOUGH YET.
SO WITH THAT CORRECTION I WILL MOVE ON TO JENNIFER SIMMS PROVIDING DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES UPDATE.
>> GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. I WONDERED ABOUT THAT.
NO. COUPLE THINGS TO KEEP YOU ABREAST OF IN THE DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES.
FIRST WE TALKED ABOUT IN THE LAST MANY MONTHS ABOUT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SEARCH ENGINE FOR MULTI-AGENCY REPORTING REPORTABLE CONTACT, THAT IS A TTONGUE TIER.
WE SEE HIGHER NUMBER OF BACKGROUND CHECKS BEING RUN, THAT IS GOOD. THAT MEANS THE SYSTEM THE WORKING. IT REALLY IS WORKING.
WE'RE CONTINUING TO MONITOR VOLUME.
SO FAR IT IS MANAGING THE INCREASED VOLUME.
WE NEED ADJUSTMENTS. THE NEXT BIG GROUP COMING NEXT IS HHSC. I THINK YOU ARE COMING IN TWO DIFFERENT GROUPINGS. WE WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR CLOSELY HOW THAT WORKS. THE OTHER GOOD NEWS IS WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THROUGH THE PROCESS AT LEAST 181 FOLKS THAT NEEDED A SECOND LOOK TO DETERMINE WHETHER THEY SHOULD BE WORKING WITH CHILDREN. SO THE SYSTEM IS WORKING.
WE'RE CATCHING INDIVIDUALS THAT PROBABLY SHOULD NOT BE WORKING IN OUR SETTINGS WITH VULNERABLE POPULATIONS.
SO ALL GOOD SO FAR. WANTED TO DOP DATE AND ELIZABETH SPOKE ABOUT THE JOINING OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EFFORT ABOUT THE HOME FOR EVERY CHILD THAT IS A INITIATIVE OF A GOAL HAVING A FOSTER HOME FOR EVERY SINGLE CHILD THAT'S IN FOSTER CARE.
WE KNOW EVERY CHILD CAN'T BE SERVED IN THE FOSTER HOME IN THE MOMENT THEY COME INTO CARE AND MAY EBB AND FLOW OVER TIME.
THE GOAL OF THE INITIATIVE IS PROVIDE AS MANY FOSTERS HOMES AS WE CAN. WE ARE CONTINUING TO WORK ON WHAT THE STRATEGY WILL LOOK LIKE TO DO THIS.
THE GOOD NEWS IS WE HAVE A YEAR TO IMPLEMENT THIS.
WE WILL BE REPORTING TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MONTHLY ON HOW THIS IS GOING. WE WILL BE WORKING CLOSELY WITH CHILD CARE LICENCING AND OTHERS AS WE IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM IN THE HOPES TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF FOSTER HOMES IN TEXAS.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST IS OUR LITTLE BIT OF GOOD NEWS, OUR NUMBERS OF CHILDREN WITHOUT PLACEMENTS ARE AT AN ALL-TIME LOW.
IN FACT THIS WEEK WE HAD SEVERAL DAYS WHERE WE ONLY HAD ONE.
WHEN I CAME BACK TO THE DEPARTMENT THREE AND A HALF YEARS AGO, WE WERE RUNNING ABOUT 100 AND 120 AND 150 KIDS A NIGHT. SO WE HAVE REALLY MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE. NOW, THE QUESTION THAT I THINK WE MIGHT GET IS, WELL WHEN WHY DOES HHSC NEED TO STAND UP THE TERAL CENTER FOR YOUTH. WE HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANCE IMPROVEMENTS AND NOT SEEING KIDS WITHOUT PLACEMENT HAVING TO STAY IN THE HOTEL. THEY ARE NOT IN IDEAL PLACEMENTS. WE ARE GETTING THEM IN A PLACEMENT. IT IS NOT NECESSARILY THE PLACEMENT THAT THEY NEED OR WILL REALLY SERVE -- HELP TO REDUCE THE DRAMA AND ADDRESS THE ISSUES THE MAY HAVE.
THE TERAL CENTER IS A VERY VALUABLE TOOL FOR US.
RIGHT NOW I WOULDN'T SAY ANY BED WILL WORK.
IT'S NOT THE IDEAL BED. WE REALLY WANT TO HELP CHILDREN TO HEAL AND RECOVER FROM THE TRAUMA THEY EXPERIENCED.
WE THE TERAL CENTER AS A REALLY GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT.
INCH EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER AND COMMISSIONER WENT LAST WEEK AND VISITED THE CENTER AND THEY WERE BOTH -- OUR COMMISSIONER CAME BACK EXTREMELY EXCITED ABOUT WHAT THE OPPORTUNITY THAT THAT FACILITY WILL BRING. THEY ALSO VISITED THE WACKO CENTER FOR YOUTH AND I THINK THERE WERE GOOD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE CONTINUUM AND HOW THE CONTINUUM OF SERVICES CAN MEET
[00:15:02]
THE HIGHER ACUITY IN TEXAS. WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE NEXTIT WAS ONE OF THE TRIPS THAT YOU CAME BACK INSPIRED AND REJUVENATED AND ABSOLUTELY SIGNIFICANT NEED IN AND OUT OF THE DSHS SYSTEM FOR KIDS WITH HIGH ACUITY NEEDS.
I THINK THE TERAL BEDS WILL BE PUT TO USE PRETTY IMMEDIATELY AFTER THEY OPEN. OKAY.
WE WILL MOVE ON TO RAYMOND, WINTER, INSPECTOR GENERAL TO
PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE AGENCY. >> I'M RICHARD WINTER THE IG OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO UPDATE ON THE GOOD WORK OF THE HARDWORKING OF THE OIG. OUR OFFICE WRAPPED UP THIRD QUARTER OF FISCAL YEAR 2026 AND PLEASED TO SHARE THE RESULTS.
MARCH 1ST TO MAY 31, OIG RECOVERED ALMOST $150 MILLION FOR TAXPAYERS. THAT TOTAL INCLUDES NORTH OF 110 MILLION IN OVERPAYMENTS RECOVERED FROM PROVIDERS AND APPROXIMATELY 38 MILLION IN CLIMATE-RELATED RECOVERIES.
BRINGS THE YEAR TO DATE RECOVERIES TO $338 MILLION THROUGH THE END OF MAY. FIND THE RESULTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER QUARTERLY REPORT POSTED ON THE WEBSITE.
THE NEXT QUARTERLY REPORT WILL BE POSTED ON SEPTEMBER 30TH.
RECENT NEWS THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED ITS 2026 HEALTH CARE FRAUD TAKE DOWN WHICH IS A NATIONAL ENFORCEMENT ACTION. THEY ANNOUNCED APPROXIMATELY 455 DEFENDANTS CHARGED ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN CONNECTION WITH MORE THAN $6.5 BILLION IN ALLEGED HEALTH CARE FRAUD.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THIS NATIONAL TAKE DOWN HIGHLIGHTS THE SCALE OF HEALTH CARE FRAUD ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.
SOME OF THOSE CASES HAD TIES TO TEXAS MEDICAID.
OUR OFFICE PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN IDENTIFYING RISK REFERRING MATTERS AND COORDINATING WITH AGENCIES ACROSS STATE GOVERNMENT AND OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS.
A RECENT SOUTH TEXAS CASE ILLUSTRATES THE ROLE THAT OUR OFFICE PLAYS IN COORDINATING AND DEACON FLIGHTING AND COOPERATING WITH OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS.
AN INVESTIGATION BEGAN WITH OUR OFFICE IN 2022 BASED ON DATA ANALYSIS FLAGGED UNUSUAL BILLING PATTERNS TIED TO THE SOUTH TEXAS-BASED JAIL DIVERSION FACILITY.
WE DID SOME INVESTIGATION. OUR OFFICE REFERRED THE MATTER TO FEDERAL AUTHORITIES OF SOUTH TEXAS OF THE TASK FORCE.
FEDERAL PROSECUTORS INDICTED THE ORGANIZATION FORMER CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER ON HEALTH CARE FRAUD AND MONEY LAUNDERING.
ACCORDING TO THE INDICTMENT, THE COMPANY SUBMITTED ABOUT $114 MILLION IN MEDICAID CLAIMS FOR SERVICES NEVER PROVIDED OR WERE MEDICALLY UNNECESSARY. AND THEY RECEIVED NORTH OF $36 MILLION IN REIMBURSEMENTS FOR SERVICES THAT THEY WERE NOT ENTITLED TO GET REIMBURSEMENT FOR.
FEDERAL PROSECUTORS ALLEGED THE OPERATION EXPLOITED VULNERABLE MENTAL HEALTH PATIENTS IN THE SETTING INCLUDING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE BENEFITS FROM RESIDENTS WHILE BILLING MEDICAID AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS FOR SERVICES NEVER DELIVERED.
WHEN DATA ANALYSIS PROGRAM EXPERTISE INVESTIGATIVE REVIEW AND FEDERAL PARTNERSHIP ALL COME TOGETHER WE ARE BETTER POSITIONED TO SAFEGUARD TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND HELP THOSE WHO DEPEND ON THE SERVICES. AS WE SAY OFTEN EVERY DOLLAR DIVERTED FROM THE SERVICES IS NOT ONLY A THEFT FROM ALL OF US, IT'S A DOLLAR NOT GOING TO THE VULNERABLE PEOPLE THAT ALL OF YOU ARE DELIVERING SERVICES FOR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONTINUED SUPPORT OF OUR MISSION TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES IN TEXAS.
[2. Agency updates]
>> THANK YOU RAYMOND. THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM IS AGENCY UPDATES. SO FIRST WE WILL HAVE OUR CHIEF REGULATORY SERVICES OFFICER PROVIDE A REGULATORY SERVICES
OPERATIONS UPDATE. >> THANK YOU JORDAN.
I HAVE AN UPDATE HERE WITH A FEW SLIDES ON AN UPDATE ON THE OPERATIONS SPECIFICALLY SOME BACKLOGS THAT HISTORICALLY EXISTD AND COMPOUNDED DURING TH. WE WILL MOVE TO THE FIRST SLIDE.
[00:20:07]
LAST SESSION WE HAD EXCEPTIONAL ITEM TO REQUEST ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO ADDRESS THE BACKLOGS SPECIFICALLY IN LONG-TERM REGULATION, AND THAT TARGET ELIMINATION DATE IS ACTUALLY AT THE END OF THIS YEAR.AS YOU'LL SEE FROM THE NEXT FEW SLIDES, WE ARE ACTUALLY MAKING VERY GOOD PROGRESS. SO IF WE MOVE TO THE FIRST SLIDE HERE. ON OUR PROGRESS.
THIS IS THE SURVEY BACKLOG FOR LONG-TERM CARE, VARIOUS PROVIDER TYPES, ASSISTED LIVING, DAWS, I CAN'T SEE THAT.
AND NURSES FACILITIES AND ICF AND WHAT YOU CAN SEE IS THAT WE ARE MAKING TREMENDOUS STRIDES IN REDUCING THE SURVEY BACKLOG.
IN FACT, WE HAVE VERY FEW TO GO AND WE WILL ABSOLUTELY BE ABLE TO ELIMINATE THAT BACKLOG BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
ON THE NEXT SLIDE, THIS IS OUR INTAKE BACKLOG.
WHEN I RETURN TO INTAKES, THESE WOULD BE SELF REPORTED INCIDENTS OR COMPLAINTS THAT ARE REPORTED TO US IN THE SAME PROVIDER TYPES. AND, AGAIN, YOU WILL SEE THE SAME EXACT TREND. IN FACT, WE HAVE ALMOST COMPLETELY ELIMINATED ALL OF THOSE INTAKE BACKLOGS.
AGAIN, WE ARE ON TRACK TO ELIMINATE THEM PROBABLY BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR. THE NEXT SLIDE, THIS IS HOME AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICE AGENCIES.
THIS IS AN AREA THAT WE DID NOT RECEIVE SOME ADDITIONAL RESOURCES. BUT YOU'LL NOTICE THAT WE CONTINUE TO MAKE STRIDES TO REDUCE THAT BACKLOG.
THE AREAS WHERE WE STILL HAVE SOME CHALLENGES ARE THE LICENCED ONLY PARTICULARLY HOME HEALTH. AND ON THE NEXT SLIDE IS THE INTAKE BACKLOG FOR HOME AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICE AGENCIES. WE DID HAVE AN UPWARD TREND BUT WE ARE FOCUSING THOSE RESOURCES TO ATTEMPT TO BRING THAT DOWN TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE AND WE ARE MAKING SOME GOOD STRIDES.
I DON'T KNOW THAT WE WILL ACTUALLY COMPLETELY ELIMINATE THIS BY THE END OF THE YEAR. BUT WE ARE PUSHING FORWARD TO CONTINUE THAT DOWN WARD TREND AND ADDRESS THOSE INTAKES.
ONE OF THE THINGS I WILL POINT OUT WHETHER IT IS THE OTHER PROVIDER TYPES ARE HIXA, THE BACKLOG IS NOT PRIORITY 1 OR IMMEDIATE JEOPARDY TYPE INTAKES. THESE ARE THE LOWER PRIORITY GENERALLY A PRIORITY 2 OR PRIORITY 3.
3 THAT IS BACKLOGGED AT THIS POINT.
FROM A HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDPOINT, WE'RE MAKING GREAT PROGRESS AND VERY PROUD OF THE TEAM AND THE WORK THEY'RE DOING THERE. THE NEXT SLIDE IS PROVIDER INVESTIGATIONS. THIS TEAM HAS HISTORICALLY HAD A BACKLOG AND WAS ACTUALLY VERY CLOSE TO ELIMINATING THE BACKLOG PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC. AND AS YOU CAN SEE, THOSE INTAKES AND THESE ARE ANE COMPLAINTS THAT FOR VARIOUS PROVIDER TYPES, YOU CAN SEE WITH HOME AND COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES HCS, STATE HOSPITALS AND VARIOUS OTHER PROVIDER TYPES, THEY ARE MAKING GREAT STRIDES AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THIS ONE COMPLETELY ELIMINATED BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR. THE NEXT SLIDE SHOWS HOW WE HAVE WORKED TOWARDS MAKING IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PROCESSES TO ENSURE WE ARE FILLING THE VACANCIES AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AND TAKING THEM THROUGH THE TRAINING PROCESS.
YOU CAN SEE THE COMPARISON HERE. THIS IS COMPARING JANUARY 1ST OF 2025 TO THE CURRENT. AND FOR THE MOST PART WE HAVE MAINTAINED A FAIRLY CONSISTENT RATIO OF TRAINED AND FIELD POSITIONS BUT YOU'LL NOTICE THAT COMPARED TO JANUARY 1ST, 2025 TO THE PRESENT, WE CERTAINLY HAVE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF INCREASED RESOURCES THAT WE'RE ABLE TO UTILIZE.
SOME OF THE RESOURCES THAT WE DID RECEIVE ARE TEMPORARY RESOURCES. THEY WILL MOVE OUT OF THE SYSTEM AT SOME POINT CLOSE TO THE END OF THE YEAR.
BUT WE WILL MAINTAIN MANY OF THOSE RESOURCES TO ENSURE THAT THE BACKLOG DOES NOT COME BACK AND THAT WE ARE ABLE TO STAY ON
[00:25:04]
TOP OF WHETHER IT'S SURVEYS OR THE INTAKES.THE LAST AREA THAT I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT IS OUR REGULATORY ENFORCEMENT AREA. THEY HAVE A FOCUS ON ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEWS IN CHILD CARE REGULATION AND AGAIN THEIR TARGET ELIMINATION DATE FOR THEIR BACKLOG IS BY THE END OF THE YEAR. IF WE MOVE TO THIS NEXT SLIDE, THEY ARE MAKING TREMENDOUS STRIDES, IN FACT, THEIR ACTUAL REDUCTION IN THIS PARTICULAR AREA IS FAR SURPASSING WHAT WE HAD PROJECTED. SO WE WOULD ANTICIPATE THAT IF YOU FOLLOW THIS TREND LINE, WE SHOULD BE COMPLETED FAR IN ADVANCE OF DECEMBER 31. SO A LOT OF GREAT WORK BY THE TEAM. VERY PROUD OF THEIR EFFORTS.
AND, AGAIN, LOOKING FORWARD TO CELEBRATING THE SUCCESS ACROSS THE AREA AND CONTINUING TO MAINTAIN A GREAT FOCUS ON BACKLOG ELIMINATION AND PREVENTION.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU DAVID.
WE WILL MOVE ON TO AN UPDATE FROM THE CHIEF FINANCIAL AND OPERATING OFFICER TRE WOOD UPDATE US ON RURAL TEXAS STRONG.
>> THANK YOU JORDAN. QUICK UPDATE WHERE WE ARE WITH RURAL TEXAS STRONG. WE RELEASED INITIATIVES AND OPENED THOSE UP FOR APPLICATION IN MAY.
THE APPLICATIONS CLOSED IN JUNE. WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF REVIEWING THE APPLICATIONS AND GOING THROUGH TO MAKE THE DETERMINATIONS ON WHO WILL BE AWARDED THOSE APPLICATIONS OR AWARDED THAT GRANT FUNDING. I EXPECT THAT WILL OCCUR SOMETIME TOWARDS THE END OF AUGUST OR EARLY SEPTEMBER WHEN WE GET THE AWARD NOTICES OUT. WE DID HAVE ANOTHER APPLICATION PROCESS THAT ACTUALLY WENT LIVE YESTERDAY.
IT'S INITIATIVE 4.2, ANOTHER VERSION OF INITIATIVE 4 THAT IS THAT INITIATIVE 4 IS THE NEXT GENERATION OF THE SMALL TOWN DOCTOR AND TEAM. AGAIN, THAT'S HIGHLIGHTED FOR ANY KIND OF PROVIDER THAT HAS AN ADDRESS FROM A RURAL COMMUNITY, THEY ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THAT.
WE ENCOURAGE THEM TO DO SO. THIS WOULD INCLUDE PHARMACISTS, GENERAL PRACTITIONER DOCTORS, EMS PROVIDERS, ALL THOSE ELIGIBLE. IF YOU HAVE AN ADDRESS IN THE RURAL COMMUNITY, REALLY ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO APPLY FOR THAT THAT WENT LIVE YESTERDAY. AGAIN, BIG FOCUS TO GET THE FIRST YEAR FUNDING PUSHED OUT BY OCTOBER 1ST.
WE HAVE MUCH MORE COMPRESSED TIMELINE IN YEAR 1 THAN THE FUTURE YEARS DUE TO THE TIMING AWARDED THE FUNDING IN APRIL.
BUT WE'RE MOVING FULL STEAM AHEAD ON THAT AND OVERCOMING ANY CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
[3. Rule proposals]
>> THANK YOU. WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM 3, RULE PROPOSALS SUBMITTED TO THE TEXAS REGISTER CURRENTLY WITHIN THE OPEN COMMENT PERIOD. WE WILL START WITH DR. KELLY FIGANBOM, I HOPE I PRONOUNCED IT CORRECTLY A SUMMARY ON MOTHER
FRIENDLY BUSINESSES ROLE. >> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS DR. KELLY AND I'M THE ASSOCIATE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER AND MEDICAL DIRECTOR FOR THE COMMUNITY HEALTH IMPROVEMENT DIVISION AS DEPARTMENT OF STATE SERVICES.
HHSC IS PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO ADMINISTRATION CODE TITLE 35, PART 1, CHAPTER 31 SUB CHAPTER A REGARDING REGISTRATION OF TEXAS MOTHER-FRIENDLY BUSINESSES. THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS UPDATE THE NAME TO THE TEXAS MOTHER-FRIENDLY WORK STATE PROGRAM. THEY UPDATE FEDERAL LAW AND STATE RULES AND PROCESSES AND BASIC MINIMUM WORK SITE STANDARDS AND CURRENT LACKATION PRACTICES AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION SUPPORT AND PROVIDE CLARITY ON TEXAS MOTHER-FRIENDLY WORK SITE DESIGNATION CRITERIA AND THE REDESIGNATION PROCESS.
LASTLY THEY INCLUDE DESCRIPTIONS OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SILVER AND GOLD DESIGNATION LEVELS AND COMPLIANCE AND MONITORING OF THESE DESIGNATIONS. THE PUBLIC WILL BENEFIT BY HAVING ACCESS TO UPDATE TEXAS MOTHER-FRIENDLY WORK SITE RULES EASILY UNDERSTANDABLE AND CLEARLY DELIN NATE STANDARDS AND DEFINITIONS AND CONTINUE TO SUPPORT BREAST FEEDING AND
BREAST PUMPING IN THE WORKPLACE. >> MEMBERS OR ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. NEXT WE HAVE NAMESHA BAKTA A SUMMARY OF STOCK MEDICATION IN SCHOOLS AND OTHER ENTITIES.
[00:30:18]
WITH THE INTRODUCTION AGAIN. GOOD MORNING.
I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HEALTH PROMOTION OF THE COMMUNITY HEALTH DIVISION. DSHS IS PROPOSING TO REPEAL THE RULES AND AMENDMENTS IN TEXAS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE TITLE 5, PART 1, CHART 40 CONCERNING STOCK MEDICATIONS IN SCHOOL AND OTHER ENTITIES. THE PROJECT WAS INITIATED TO IMPLEMENT HOUSE BILL 163 AND SENATE BILL 1619 BOTH FROM THE 89TH REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN 2025.
THE H B1 63 REMOVED THE LIST OF TEXAS ENTITIES AND NOW TO BROADEN THE DEFINITION TO ALLOW ANY ENTITIES WITHIN TEXAS INCLUDING GOVERNMENT ENTITIES TO ADOPT THE POLICY.
IT AMENDED EPINEPHRINE IN THE STATUTES TO ACCOMMODATE FOR THE NEW TECHNOLOGY OF NASAL SPRAYS ACCOMMODATED.
PROPOSING THE FOLLOWS CHANGES TO IMPLEMENT 1619 AMENDING THE CHAPTERS AB AND E UPDATING THE TERM EPINEPHRINE AUTO INJECTOR TO DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND IMPLEMENTING 163 AND REPEALING SUB CHAPTER C IN CHAPTER 4 AND ACCOMMODATING THAT WITHIN THE SUBSUB CHAPTER B FOR OTHER ENTIS TO CERTAIN CHAPTERS.
IN ADDITION TO THIS, TAKING INITIATIVE OF OTHER DEFINITIONS OF STANDARDIZATION AND PLAIN LANGUAGE AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
SO THERE ARE OTHER MINOR CHANGES IN THE SUB CHAPTERS AS WELL.
THE PUBLIC WILL BENEFIT BECAUSE THE UPDATED RULES WILL ALLOW MORE ENTITIES THE TEXAS TO ADOPT THE POLICY AND IT WOULD OFFER MORE COVERAGE FOR THOSE ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCKS EXPERIENCED AT THE ENTITIES AND ALLOW ENTITIES TO MAKE IT FOR LIFE-THREATENING ALLERGIC REACTION ON THE PREMISES AND THE NEXT STEP IS SUBMIT THE UPDATED RULE PACKET ONCE IT CLOSED ON AUGUST 3RD. QUESTIONS I CAN ANSWER?
>> DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. NEXT WE HAVE CRYSTAL FAILEN WHO WILL PROVIDE A SUMMARY ON THE EPINEPHRINE DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND
CHILD CARE OPERATION RULE. >> GOOD MORNING EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. ALL RIGHT.
MY NAME IS CRYSTAL FAILEN. I'M DEPUTY ASSOCIATE COMMISSIONER FOR CHILD CARE ORGANIZATION AND PROGRAM OPERATION. GOOD TO SEE EACH OF YOU THIS MORNING. HHSC IS UPDATING RULES ENTITLED 26, PART 1, CHAPTER 742 THROUGH 748 BY PROPOSING 9 AMENDMENTS AND 4 REPEALS. PROPOSAL PROJECT 26R 013 IMPLEMENT SENATE BILL 1619 AND HOUSE BILL 163 FROM THE 89TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT AMENDED TEXAS HUMAN RESOURCES CODE 42 AND REPEALED STATUTORY PROVISIONS IN TEXAS HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE CHAPTER 773. SENATE BILL 1619 SECTION 27 ADDED THE TERM EPINEPHRINE DELIVERY SYSTEM TO THE TEXAS HUMAN RESOURCE CODE TO EXPAND THE ALLOWABLE UNASSIGNED EPINEPHRINE DEVICES TO INCLUDE EPINEPHRINE NASAL SPRAY IN ADDITION TO AN EPINEPHRINE AUTO INJECTOR.
HOUSE BILL 163 REPEALED THE STATUTORY PROVISIONS IN A TEXAS HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE REGARDING POSSESSION AND ADMINISTRATION OF UNASSIGNED EPINEPHRINE AND CHILD CARE FACILITY.
THE PROPOSED RULES REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT TO HAVE AN IMPLEMENT, A POLICY IF LISTED FAMILY HOME, A SHELTER CARE OPERATION AND EMPLOYER-BASED CHILD CARE OPERATION OR A CHILD CARE HOME RESPECTIVELY MAINTAINS ADMINISTERS UNASSIGNED EPINEPHRINE AUTO INJECTORS. HOWEVER, FOR CHILD CARE CENTERS, THE PROPOSED RULES RETAIN THE POLICY REQUIRMENT AND UPDATE EPINEPHRINE TERMINOLOGY SO THAT IT INCLUDES NASAL SPRAY AND AUTO INJECTOR. THE PROPOSED RULES OF PARENTAL
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NOTIFICATION AND SCHOOL AGED PROGRAMS AND BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL AND CHILD CARE CENTERS AND HOMES TO INCLUDE NOTIFYING THE CHILD'S PARENT IMMEDIATELY IF THE CHILD REQUIRED ADMINISTRATION OF A MEDICATION IN THE MEDICAL EMERGENCY.THE PUBLIC WILL BENEFIT FROM THE PROPOSED RULE CHANGES WITH EXPANSION OF THE TYPES OF UNASSIGNED EPINEPHRINE ■DELIVERY DEVICES THAT CAN BE USED IN CHILD CARE CENTERS AND MORE COMPREHENSIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR NOTIFYING PARENTS IN MEDICAL EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. ANY QUESTIONS?
>> THANK YOU CRYSTAL. ANY QUESTIONS? OKAY. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
>> THANK YOU. >> AND NEXT WE HAVE SHARON JACOB WHO WILL PROVIDE SUMMARIES ON TWO RULES, THE FIRST IS UPDATE ON VIRTUAL ABUSE NEGLECT AND EXPLOITATION TRAINING AND THEN TALK ABOUT THE ROLE RELATED TO EN TOPIC PREGNANCY.
>> I'M WITH THE HEALTH CARE OFFICE HEALTH CARE REGULATION DEPARTMENT. HHSC IS UPDATING RULES IN TITLE 26, CHAPTER 505, 564 AND 568 TO ALLOW CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY TREATMENT FACILITIES GENERAL AND SPECIAL HOSPITALS AND PRIVATE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS FOR ABUSE NEGLECT TRAINING VERBALLY.
IT IMPLEMENTS SENATE BILL 437 FROM THE 89TH SESSION.
IN PART AMENDED THE TEXAS HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTION 161.133 TO ALLOW IN SERVICE TRAINING ON ABUSE AND NEGLECT AND ILLEGAL UNPROFESSIONAL AND UNETHICAL CONDUCT TO BE PROVIDED IN PERSON OR THROUGH A LIVE INTERACTIVE INSTRUCTOR LED AND ELECTRONIC METHOD THAT USES SYNCHRONOUS AUDIO VISUAL INTERACTION BETWEEN THE INSTRUCTOR AND EMPLOYEES. THIS RULE WILL ALLOW FACILITY STAFF TO HAVE GREATER ACCESS TO TRAINING, EASIER ACCESS TO TRAINING AND THE FACILITIES WILL HAVE GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN HOW THE TRAINING IS PROVIDED. AS A RESULT THE PUBLIC WILL BENEFIT FROM STAFF WITH BETTER TRAINING IF THE TRAININGS CAN BE CONDUCTED QUICKER AND EASIER. THESE WILL ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY. ANY QUESTIONS?
>> WHAT FACILITIES DOES THAT APPLY TO AGAIN, SORRY?
>> YES, THIS IS CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY TREATMENT FACILITIES AND GENERAL AND SPECIAL HOSPITALS AND PRIVATE
PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS. >> THANK YOU.
YOU CAN MOVE TO THE NEXT ROLE. >> HHSC IS ALSO UPDATING THE DEFINITION OF ECTOPIC PREGNANCY TITLE 26, PART 1, CHART 504.
THE RURAL IMPLEMENTS SENATE BILL 31 FROM THE 89TH REGULAR LEGISLATION. IN PART IT EXPANDING THE DEFINITION OF ECTOPIC PREGNANCY IN THE HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTION TO 41.002 TO ALSO MEAN THE IMPLANTATION OF A FELLIZED EGG AND EMBRYO IN ABNORMAL PORTION OR SCARRED TO BE NONE.
IT DIDN'T REQUIRE TO AMEND RULES FOR THE FACILITIES THE PROJECT DOES CREATE CONSISTENCY BETWEEN RULES AND TEXAS STATUTE AND THE PUBLIC WILL BENEFIT FROM THAT ALIGNMENT.
>> ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU SHARON.
THAT CONCLUDES AGENDA ITEM 3. THE PRESENTER FOR ITEM 4A WAS UNABLE TO BE WITH US. TABLE THE ITEM AND TO NUMBER 5.
PUBLIC COMMENT? ANY PUBLIC COMMENT CARDS?
>> NO MA'AM. WE HAVE NO PUBLIC COMMENT CARDS
THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR YOUR TIME.
THANK YOU FOR THOSE WHO JOINED US VIRTUALLY OR IN PERSON.
ALL BUSINESS HAS BEEN COMPLETED. PLEASE NOTE FOR THE RECORD THAT AT 10:39 A.M., THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
>> RECORDED HAS ENDED. PLEASE LEAVE THE PLATFORM, THANK
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.