Texas Insight’s Recent Reports
- HHSC: Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board: Meeting Highlights: 1. Elect chair; 2. Bylaws revision; 3. Report on HHSC decisions on acceptance of the DUR recommendations from the April 27, 2018, meeting; and 4. Public comment on drug classes and therapeutic and clinical drug reviews to be reviewed for the Medicaid PDL.
- HHSC: Aging Texas Well Advisory Committee: The Advisory committee met to receive updates on the following: 1. HHSC has developed a health and specialty care system that encompasses the State Supported Living Centers and the state hospitals; 2. A presentation was delivered that looks at aging issues and the lessons-learned following Hurricane Harvey; 3. Divisions provided updates- almost all the divisions are being impacted by the brand-new information system that just rolled out; and 4. The SB 1693 Report is on track to meet the required September 1, 2018 deadline.
- House Select Committee on Opioids & Substance Abuse: Charge 6: The Select Committee met on August 7 to consider Charge 6 and Charge 8. This report addresses only Charge 6: Examine the impact of substance abuse and substance use disorders on Texans who are involved in the adult or juvenile criminal justice system and/or the Child Protective Services system. Identify barriers to treatment and the availability of treatment in various areas of the state. Recommend solutions to improve state and local policy, including alternatives to justice system involvement, and ways to increase access to effective treatment and recovery options. Invited testimony only.
- House Select Committee on Opioids and Substance Abuse: Public Testimony: The Select Committee met on August 8th to hear public testimony on all previously considered committee charges. Public testimony was limited to three (3) minutes. This was the 6th and final hearing of the Committee.
Looking Ahead
- August 14, 2018: Texas State Child Fatality Review Team Committee Meeting
- August 16, 2018: Medical Care Advisory Committee; and
Texas Unified Licensure Information Portal Kickoff - August 17, 2018: Palliative Care Interdisciplinary Advisory Council;
Family and Protective Services Council Meeting; and
Texas Council on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke Quarterly Meeting
State and Federal Healthcare News
Texas
- Texas is suing — again — to end Obamacare. This time it has some advantages.
- Fighting cancer on two fronts: Despite Texas law, firefighters denied workers comp for treatment
- UH School of Medicine could limit primary care physician shortage in the area
- Dallas resident is county’s first West Nile death of 2018
- Doubts aside, Sam Houston State pushes for a new medical school
- Mosquitoes trapped in Cedar Park test positive for West Nile virus
- At town hall, health services commissioner tells state employees mold-infested building “not unsafe”
- Former Wrigley CEO is now a medical cannabis executive
- Texas allows Blue Cross Blue Shield to deny payments for some out-of-network ER visits
- More Texans say no to vaccines despite health concerns. Are your schools ‘hot spots’ for opting out?
- Lethal-injection drug case will remain open to public after The News, other media outlets’ court fight
U.S.
- Anti-abortion group launches ads against Manchin over Planned Parenthood
- Treating Teen Depression Might Improve Mental Health of Parents Too
- A Judge Blocked a Medicaid Work Requirement. The White House Is Undeterred.
- Fearing ‘blue wave,’ drug, insurance companies build single-payer defense
- Judge Rejects Drugmaker’s Attempt To Block Nebraska Execution
- Trump admin urges states to cooperate on expansion of non-ObamaCare plans
- Court Orders E.P.A to Ban Chlorpyrifos, Pesticide Tied To Children’s Health Problems
- Patient groups rattled by new Medicare power to negotiate lower drug prices
- Asbestos in a Crayon, Benzene in a Marker: A School Supply Study’s Toxic Results
- Trump’s Short-Term Health Insurance Policies Quickly Run Into Headwinds