The Weekly Insight: October 22

Texas Insight Staff

October 22, 2019

Texas Insight’s Recent Reports

HHSC: Texas Diabetes Council. The Council gathered to welcome new Texas Diabetes Council Members, hear a presentation called, Health Insurance for Diabetes Prevention Confers Health Benefits and Breaks Even on Cost Within two Years, discuss Medicaid Pharmacy Benefits, hear an update on Childhood Obesity and Diabetes, discuss Obesity & Diabetes in the Rio Grande Valley, and more. Find the full report here.

HHSC: Blueprint for a Healthy Texas – Press Conference. The Blueprint for a Healthy Texas was presented in a public meeting. The plan identifies key areas of focus that will guide agencies’ work throughout this fiscal year. It provides a transparent framework for how Texas Health and Human Services will move forward and improve services to Texans. Follow this link for the full report.

Comptroller of Public Accounts: Updated Revenue Estimate. Prior to the legislative session, the Comptroller issues a Biennial Revenue Estimate (BRE) to tell lawmakers how much they can spend over the next two years. This is the basis upon which appropriations decisions are made. After the legislative session, the Comptroller issues a Certification Revenue Estimate (CRE) to reflect legislative activity and the most current economic information, as well as to take into account final revenue numbers for the recently ended fiscal year. If all goes well, the original estimate kept the spending in check enough so that when the post-session estimate is made, there is indeed enough funding to pay for the check the legislature recently wrote through the appropriations process. Follow this link for the full report.

HHSC: DSRIP Transition Update (Webinar). On October 14, the Health and Human Services held a meeting/webinar to provide the public with an update on how the transition activities were going, since they were largely outside the radar of most advocacy groups. In August, more than 80 stakeholders provided feedback on the draft Transition Plan for DSRIP, which HHSC submitted to CMS by October first. The comments indicated support for certain aspects of the plan and included proposed changes. They were also focused on next steps related to proposed milestones. HHSC will continue to work closely with stakeholders as it develops and implements plans for each of the milestones, and will use the feedback to inform next steps. Follow this link for the full report.

HHSC: Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity Work Group. This report contains the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity Work Group strategic plan. Find the full report here.