Transcript Highlights:

• If a public employee or retiree pays that direct fee out of pocket under a state health plan, it does
• to the Texas School Employees Uniform Group health coverage.
• this in its health benefits for state employees, we plan to amend House Bill 3015 to preserve participants
• I don't know the number of members on these health plans that would be impacted by this.
• So, I'm the Senior Fellow for Health Care at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, whom I represent.

Bills: HB3015, HB3521, HB5632, HJR182, SJR57

Keywords: healthcare, direct primary care, insurance deductibles, Texas Health Benefit Plans, telemedicine, police retirement, disability pension, municipalities, law enforcement, retirement benefits, retirement, beneficiary, Employees Retirement System of Texas, divorce decree, beneficiary designation, Veterans' Land Board, general obligation bonds, constitutional amendment, veterans, housing assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• We show you registered as Blake Hudson, Director of Public Affairs, Texas Association of Health Plans
• I'm calling Blake Hudson, Director of Public Affairs, Texas Association of Health Plans, as a resource
• We have you registered, Blake Hudson, Director of Public Affairs, Texas Association of Health Plans.
• Regulated health plans.
• Texas. We fully support it. We are hand-in-hand with the health plans on this, and I'll stop there.

Bills: HB1464, HB1635, HB2516, HB3317, HB3502, HB4012, HB4268, HB4386, HB4877, SB916

Keywords: prescription drugs, drug pricing, pharmacy benefits, health insurance, health benefit plan, insurer, HMO, self-insured employer, public employer, school district, county, municipality, university system, higher education, retirees, dependent coverage, stop-loss coverage, bulk purchasing, group purchasing, purchasing pool

Transcript Highlights:

• benefit manager is Express Grips for all of our plans.
• A proposed legislation that imposes a new mandate on health benefit plan issuers or administrators in
• So do you have some analysis of how a change in law might benefit public health or health in general?
• Texas for Affordable Health Care is a grassroots run organization and we represent Texas families and
• Right, and this is regarding the plans that are, you know, governed by Texas... you know, health care

Bills: HB138, HB335, HB388, HB138

Keywords: health impact analysis, cost analysis, coverage mandates, health insurance, legislative analysis, health care data, education, funding, classroom resources, teacher support, student outcomes, health benefits, provider dentists, payment reimbursement, insurance code, noncontracting, dental care, reimbursement, health benefit plans, noncontracting providers

Transcript Highlights:

• legislators and appropriators. evaluate our own state benefit plans.
• benefit plan. issuers or administrators, and expenses for enrollees, health plans, and policy makers
• Department of Insurance used to do, Texas mandate benefits cost and utilization summary report?
• House Bill 388 requires all health benefit plan issuers and administrators to use a uniform coordination
• of benefits questionnaire that will be made available to health care providers.

Bills: HB138, HB335, HB388, HB138

Keywords: health impact analysis, cost analysis, coverage mandates, health insurance, legislative analysis, health care data, education, funding, classroom resources, teacher support, student outcomes, health benefits, provider dentists, payment reimbursement, insurance code, noncontracting, dental care, reimbursement, health benefit plans, noncontracting providers

Transcript Highlights:

• benefit plan to provide. coverage for biomarker testing.
• plan to cover it as a covered benefit.
• Ideally, we can treat this dental decay before it gets to this point with a health benefit plan that
• The Chair will call Black Hudson with the Texas Association of Health Plans. Thank you.
• Rick Hudson, Director of Public Affairs, Texas Association of Health Plans, in one of the most... persistent

Bills: HB813, HB1680, HB3569, HB4074, HB4635, HB5178, SB527, SB1307, SB1822

Keywords: autism, health insurance, coverage, medical treatment, health benefit plan, HIV prevention, prescription drug, prior authorization, health benefits, insurance coverage, insurance, contract termination, property and casualty, insurance agents, discrimination, appraiser, umpire, licensing requirements, continuing education, admin penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• . ...and predictable for Texas insurers.
• My name is Robert Betts, Insurance Council of Texas. It's late, and you're probably tired.
• Last session, Texas Watch compiled data on the impact of auto appraisal for Texas insured.
• The Texas Office of Public Insurance Counsel report for the 88th Texas Legislature Regulation 1 preserved
• Texas Trial Lawyers Association and yourself registered for SB458, is that correct? Yes.

Bills: HB345, HB721, HB2580, SB815, HB3057, HB4603, HB3233, SB495, HB3863, HB3914, HB4570, HB5099, HB5173, SB458

Keywords: insurance, appraisal process, disputed losses, residential property, policyholder rights, insurer obligations, natural disasters, appraisal expenses, umpire selection, policyholder, insurer, umpire, claims management, health care, cost disclosure, benefit plan, administrators, traumatic brain injury, health benefit plans, insurance coverage

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee heard this a few weeks ago relating to certain practices of health benefit plan issuers
• benefit plan issuers.
• We show you as Blake Hudson, Director of Public Affairs for the Texas Association of Health Plans.
• Director of Public Affairs, Texas Association of Health Plans, and you're for the bill.
• It is a very limited health benefit plan, again, not health insurance.

Bills: HB345, HB721, HB2580, SB815, HB3057, HB4603, HB3233, SB495, HB3863, HB3914, HB4570, HB5099, HB5173, SB458

Keywords: insurance, appraisal process, disputed losses, residential property, policyholder rights, insurer obligations, natural disasters, appraisal expenses, umpire selection, policyholder, insurer, umpire, claims management, health care, cost disclosure, benefit plan, administrators, traumatic brain injury, health benefit plans, insurance coverage

Transcript Highlights:

• The Texas Mental Health Condition and Substance Use Disorders Parity Strategic Plan.
• Director of Public Affairs, Texas Association of Health Plans. We show you neutral on HB2528.
• Secondly, it prevents PBMs, health benefit plans, and third-party payers from imposing discriminatory
• I'm Johnnie Robinson, Director of Public Affairs, Texas Association of Health Plans.
• A health benefit plan on page three, a health benefit plan issuer that provides prescription drug benefits

Bills: HB712, HB722, HB946, HB1687, HB1809, HB1899, HB2528, HB2583, HB2741, HB2750, HB3021, HB3150, HB3265, HB3658, HB3812, HB3960, HB4392, HB4432

Keywords: prostate cancer, health benefit plans, insurance coverage, cost sharing, preventive health care, auto insurance, total loss evaluation, disclosure, insurance materials, vehicle appraisal, HB 946, Texas Insurance Code, automobile insurance claims, oral release, written release, settlement agreement, claim release, property damage, bodily injury, psychological injury

Transcript Highlights:

• Outside entities utilized by health plans are captured by adding "affiliate of a health insurance plan
• We show you registered as Jamie Dudensing, CEO of the Texas Association of Health Plans.
• HB 712 will not place an undue burden on health plans.
• Texas Association of Health Plans, and we show you registered against HB712.
• Windstorm Insurance Association and Texas Fair Plan Association.

Bills: HB712, HB722, HB946, HB1687, HB1809, HB1899, HB2528, HB2583, HB2741, HB2750, HB3021, HB3150, HB3265, HB3658, HB3812, HB3960, HB4392, HB4432

Keywords: prostate cancer, health benefit plans, insurance coverage, cost sharing, preventive health care, auto insurance, total loss evaluation, disclosure, insurance materials, vehicle appraisal, HB 946, Texas Insurance Code, automobile insurance claims, oral release, written release, settlement agreement, claim release, property damage, bodily injury, psychological injury

Transcript Highlights:

• There is an error in the results of the delay of notification of the health plan.
• plans, especially in the employee benefits market.
• Health professionals, particularly OBGYNs, are already considering leaving Texas due to our laws.
• Nora Cox, Texas Health Alliance.
• Jamie Dudensing, CEO of the Texas Association of Health Plans, and we're testifying on Senate Bill 1822

Bills: SB95, SB268, SB493, SB619, SB660, SB922, SB984, SB1098, SB1188, SB1307, SB1332, SB1822

Keywords: immunization, written informed consent, civil liability, health care provider, vaccine compensation, administrative penalty, health care, licensing, complaint procedure, disciplinary action, law enforcement, pharmacy benefit manager, PBM, gag clause, prescription drug pricing, out-of-pocket cost, cash price, pharmacist, pharmacy, prescription drug benefit

Transcript Highlights:

• the Texas Workforce Commission, Health and Human Services, the Department of Family and Protective Services
• I'm the CEO of the Texas Association of Health Plans, and we're testifying neutral today on House Bill
• Longstanding Texas statute already speaks to obtaining informed consent by disclosing the benefits and
• Tanner Eiliff, Senior Research Fellow with the Paragon Health Institute: I want physicians in Texas.
• Pre-authorization is a process used by health plans to manage costs and utilization of services.

Bills: HB163, HB216, HB721, HB2035, HB2038, HB3057, HB3153, HB3233, HB3595, HB3801, HB3812, HB4076, HB4129, HB4377, HB4535, HB4666, HB4730, HB4743, HB4903, HB5149, HB5155, HB1534

Keywords: epinephrine, healthcare, emergency response, administration, medical policy, health care, itemized billing, patient rights, provider regulations, Texas Health and Safety Code, cost disclosure, insurance, benefit plan, administrators, chemical dependency, treatment facilities, minor admissions, parental notice, mental health, medical licensing

Summary: The committee met without a quorum at first, then established a quorum with five members present. Members heard and left pending several House bills, including HB 4743 on allowing hospitals to license mobile stroke units under a hospital license, HB 4129 on earlier DFPS enforcement tools for single-source continuum contractors in community-based foster care, HB 4903 creating a Quad Agency Child Care Initiative to coordinate child care regulations across state agencies, HB 3812 revising the gold card/prior authorization process for physicians, HB 4535 requiring written informed consent before COVID-19 vaccination and a standardized state information sheet, and HB 4666 reducing the frequency of some HHSC reports to the legislature. The chair also noted HB 35 would be voted on later after a subcommittee back was received, and that a large number of bills would be heard the next day. Most of the testimony focused on HB 4535 and HB 4730. On HB 4535, supporters argued the bill would strengthen informed consent for COVID vaccination by requiring written consent and clearer state-level information about risks, manufacturer liability protections, and adverse-event reporting; opponents, including a pediatrician and medical groups, said existing federal and state informed-consent materials already cover these topics and warned the bill could create duplicative paperwork and penalties. On HB 3812, the Texas Medical Association supported changes that would extend the gold-card evaluation period to one year, raise transparency, and make prior authorization exemptions easier to administer, while health plans said they were neutral and viewed the bill as a balance between reducing burden and preventing fraud or unsafe care. HB 4730 drew extensive testimony from adoption professionals, birth mothers, adoptive parents, and child welfare advocates. The bill would require DFPS to create a relinquishment form, train child-placing agency staff, and extend the minimum waiting period for voluntary relinquishment from 48 hours to seven days. Supporters of the current law argued the 48-hour period aligns with hospital discharge, allows informed decisions, and helps birth parents and adoptive families begin healing and bonding without pushing children into foster care or creating legal and Medicaid complications. The author said the bill would be revised and that the seven-day provision was a work in progress. No votes were taken on the bills during the meeting; each bill was left pending after public testimony closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Texas Workforce Commission, the Health and Human Services Commission, the Department of Family and
• It requires additional reporting for the health plans that will allow the Texas Department of Insurance
• I'm the CEO of the Texas Association of Health Plans, and we're testifying neutral today on House Bill
• Texas statute already speaks to obtaining informed consent by disclosing the benefits and risks that
• I represent the Texas Public Policy Foundation, serving as the Senior Fellow for Health Care.

Bills: HB163, HB216, HB721, HB2035, HB2038, HB3057, HB3153, HB3233, HB3595, HB3801, HB3812, HB4076, HB4129, HB4377, HB4535, HB4666, HB4730, HB4743, HB4903, HB5149, HB5155, HB1534, HB163, HB216

Keywords: epinephrine, healthcare, emergency response, administration, medical policy, health care, itemized billing, patient rights, provider regulations, Texas Health and Safety Code, cost disclosure, insurance, benefit plan, administrators, chemical dependency, treatment facilities, minor admissions, parental notice, mental health, medical licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• I know back in the day, members, he testified a lot in public health in the Texas House.
• plans. and other health MCOs are not allowed to inform enrollees about other health plan options because
• Bill ensures that MCOs can inform enrollees. is about the availability of qualified health plans offered
• Supported by the health plans, primary care consortium and Texas 24.
• I'm the CEO of the Texas Association of Health Plans and we are testifying in support of Senate Bill

Bills: SB 53, SB53, SB125, SB315, SB379, SB457, SB541, SB599, SB896, SB921, SB963, SB1038, SB1084, SB1330, SB1461

Keywords: voter registration, election procedures, provisional ballot, change of address, residence requirements, mental health, court proceedings, notice requirements, legal filings, electronic documents, autologous blood donation, direct blood donation, blood bank, hospital, Health and Safety Code, physician order, preoperative blood donation, patient blood reserve, transfusion, surgery

Bills: SB 95, SB 268, SB 493, SB 619, SB 660, SB 922, SB 984, SB 1098, SB 1188, SB 1307, SB 1332, SB 1822

Keywords: immunization, written informed consent, civil liability, health care provider, vaccine compensation, administrative penalty, health care, licensing, complaint procedure, disciplinary action, law enforcement, conscience protection, health care services, civil remedy, health care providers, patient access, hospital safety, emergency room, bollards, traffic protection

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair calls Blake Hudson, Director. ...for public affairs, Texas Association of Health Plans, and
• These programs only alert health plans which lab claims filed are within policy coverage or not.
• their services to commercial health plans and thus lower costs for health plans.
• My company provides lab integrity programs for over 30... ...health plans across the U.S.
• This bill would create a new middleman and a new avenue. for health benefit plan issuers and utilization

Bills: HB854, HB 1052, HB1642, HB2076, HB3042, HB3695, HB3787, HB4062, HB4092, SB213, SB493, SB896, HB5519, HB4635

Keywords: insurance, replacement cost, homeowner's policy, renter's policy, condominium insurance, property damage, claims process, telemedicine, teledentistry, telehealth, health benefit plan, insurance coverage, out-of-state services, anxiety, pain management, contraceptive devices, women's health, medical procedures, healthcare, laboratory

Transcript Highlights:

• The Texas Department of Insurance requires an insurer to determine a provider's eligibility within 90
• Okay, I show registered Audrey Vanderwaal from the Texas Chiropractic Association.
• Interested is Corey Rose from the Texas Car Project Association.
• I am a chiropractor that practices in New Braunfels, Texas.
• insurance plans before being able to provide in-network services to patients.

Bills: HB854, HB 1052, HB1642, HB2076, HB3042, HB3695, HB3787, HB4062, HB4092, SB213, SB493, SB896, HB5519, HB4635

Keywords: insurance, replacement cost, homeowner's policy, renter's policy, condominium insurance, property damage, claims process, telemedicine, teledentistry, telehealth, health benefit plan, insurance coverage, out-of-state services, anxiety, pain management, contraceptive devices, women's health, medical procedures, healthcare, laboratory

Transcript Highlights:

• Let Texas be a national leader in advancing data-driven, science-based mental health interventions with
• Texas is facing one of the nation's worst health care shortages, and it's only projected to get worse
• Counties in Texas are classified as primary health care professional shortage areas, with another 10
• Therefore, policies... that bring doctors and health care providers into Texas should be considered.
• Texas Association of Community Health Centers.

Bills: HB 44, HB 2200, HB 1612, HB 2747, HB 2038, HB 3717, HB 1431, HB 3800, HB 3801, HB 3560, HB 3246

Keywords: HB 44, Life of the Mother Act, abortion exceptions, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, spontaneous abortion, fetal survival, Texas abortion law, abortion ban, physician liability, health care provider, disciplinary action, aiding and abetting, emergency abortion, obstetric care

Summary: The meeting of the public health committee focused on the pressing issue of opioid addiction in Texas, with a particular emphasis on House Bill 3717. Chairman Harris detailed the bill's intent to fund a grant program for Ibogaine clinical trials, framing it as a critical response to the ongoing opioid crisis. He shared poignant testimonies highlighting the struggles of families and veterans battling addiction and mental health issues. The conversation underscored the necessity of innovative treatments, like Ibogaine, which showed promising results in studies for reducing symptoms of withdrawal and PTSD.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the CEO of the Texas Association. of Health Plans, and we are testifying in support of Senate Bill
• , known as employer-sponsored self-employment. funded health plans that were previously thought to be
• And it makes clear that it applies to an out-of-state health benefit plan provided to residents. of Texas
• Supreme Court's reckless decision held that if a state law requires a plan to structure benefits in a
• We encourage initiatives like those before you today designed to improve health care in rural Texas.

Bills: SB502, SB513, SB622, SB670, SB731, SB732, SB916, SB961, SB1122

Keywords: SB 502, Texas peace officers, Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC Office of Inspector General, OIG investigators, law enforcement classification, Schedule C, state employee benefits, injury benefits, peace officer status, commissioned officers, state auditor classification, Government Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, human services, health and human services, law enforcement compensation, public employee benefits, Texas state law enforcement, child welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• Providers from across the state and the Texas Association of Health Plans came together to support that
• portion of the benefit plans.
• Senate Bill 1122 closes this loophole by clarifying that... ...Texas law applies to all health benefit
• of Health Plans, respectfully in opposition.
• They're the third-party benefit administrators for ERISA health care plans.

Bills: SB502, SB513, SB622, SB670, SB731, SB732, SB916, SB961, SB1122

Keywords: SB 502, Texas peace officers, Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC Office of Inspector General, OIG investigators, law enforcement classification, Schedule C, state employee benefits, injury benefits, peace officer status, commissioned officers, state auditor classification, Government Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, human services, health and human services, law enforcement compensation, public employee benefits, Texas state law enforcement, child welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the Texas Association of Health, uh, Plans came together to support that effort two years ago, and
• to a small portion of the benefit plans.
• Senate Bill 1122 closes this loophole by clarifying that Texas law applies to all health benefit plans
• My name is Blake Hudson testifying today on behalf of the Texas Association of Health Plans, uh, respectfully
• They're the third-party benefit administrators for ERISA healthcare plans.

Bills: SB 502, SB 513, SB 622, SB 670, SB 731, SB 732, SB 916, SB 961, SB 1122

Keywords: SB 502, Texas peace officers, Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC Office of Inspector General, OIG investigators, law enforcement classification, Schedule C, state employee benefits, injury benefits, peace officer status, commissioned officers, state auditor classification, Government Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, human services, health and human services, law enforcement compensation, public employee benefits, Texas state law enforcement, child welfare