House Committee on Public Health - 80th R.S. (2007)
Committee Members
- Dianne White Delisi, Chair
- Jodie Laubenberg, Chair
- Jodie Laubenberg, Vice Chair
- Jim Jackson, Chair - Budget & Oversight
- Ellen Cohen
- Garnet Coleman
- Veronica Gonzales
- Susan Lewis King
- Dora Olivo
- Vicki Truitt
Charges
- Monitor and evaluate the full array of wellness initiatives undertaken by the State of Texas to include the newly adopted state employee wellness and prevention legislation (HB 1297 80th R.S.) and a pilot program to encourage health lifestyles, such as smoking cessation within the Medicaid program (SB 10 80th R.S.) and for state employees. Develop strategies for maximizing potential health benefits and optimizing the return on the State of Texas' investments in wellness. Include a review of other state and private sector programs for employee wellness that result in prevention cost savings.
- Research issues relating to the Indigent Health Care and Treatment Act (Chapter 61, Health and Safety Code) and related local health care initiatives (Chapter 534, Government Code), and make recommendations to address any imbalance between counties for the provision of health care.
- Review issues related to federal changes for tamper-resistant prescription pad requirements, and monitor the activity of the Texas Department of Public Safety Controlled Substances Advisory Committee in response to SB 1879 80th R.S..
- Examine issues related to the Texas Anatomical Gift Act (Chapter 692, Health and Safety Code.)
- Examine the status of asthma in Texas, and make recommendations to prevent asthma and to assist children and adults with asthma to more effectively manage their disease. Develop strategies for decreasing the direct medical and indirect related costs associated with asthma.
- Examine activities at the Texas Medical Board as they relate to the protection of public health and the practice of medicine, and the status of implementation requirements established by HB 1973 80th R.S.. The committees should consider any findings by the Texas Sunset Commission. (Joint Interim Charge with the House Committee on Appropriations.)
- Examine the State of Texas' preparedness level to handle a public health emergency. (Joint Interim Charge with the House Committees on Defense Affairs and State-Federal Relations.)
- Review the effectiveness of the Driver Responsibility Programs, and provide recommendations for increasing the collection rate of assessed penalties. Provide recommendations for amnesty and incentive programs established by the passage of SB 1723 80th R.S.. Examine the status of Texas' current statewide trauma system infrastructure and how the system may be optimized to meet future trauma care needs in a rapidly growing state with overburdened emergency rooms. (Joint Interim Charge with the House Committee on Transportation.)
- Study the state's current and long-range need for physicians, dentists, nurses and other allied health and long-term care professionals. Make recommendations regarding strategies related to geographic distribution and barriers to recruitment of high-need professions, especially for primary care providers and long-term care professionals. (Joint Interim Charge with the House Committees on Border and International Affairs and Appropriations.)
- Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction.
Notes
Charges issued by the Speaker November 30, 2007.
Jodie Laubenberg appointed chair to fill vacancy created by July 31 resignation of Dianne Delisi (Letter, Tom Craddick, 8/5/2008).
Information on this website is provided as a public service by the Legislative Reference Library. The Legislative Reference Library makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy and makes no warranty in regard to its use. Users assume all risk of reliance on the information included on this site.