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• It is no secret that border communities have fewer health care professionals, and I can attest to that
• It is a strategic and investment to incentivize new health care professionals to serve in areas with
• What we've learned since then is that our state needs a broader range of mental health professionals.
• We were in hopes that by requiring the mental health professionals who participate in this program to
• We were in hopes that these mental health professionals early in their careers would serve these populations

Bills: HB2476, HB2893, HB4848, HB5062, SB37, SB60, HB2860, HB4930, SB646, SB 37

Keywords: living expenses, higher education, student support, homeless students, financial aid, grant program, baccalaureate degrees, junior colleges, workforce development, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, competency-based education, baccalaureate degree, cost of attendance, dual credit, computer science, course credit, foreign language requirement, curriculum review, governing board, faculty council

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• This program assists health care professionals with any health condition that may affect safe practice
• In Gross Substitute Senate Bill 620, relates to the health benefit exchanges health plan certification
• Washington's Health Benefit Exchange annually certifies health plans offered through the exchange as
• qualified health plans.
• Chair, members of the committee, Chris Blake, staff for the health health care, wellness committee in

Bills: SB5877, SB5904, SB5988

Keywords: anesthesiology, medical personnel, surcharges, licensing, healthcare regulations, nursing titles, licensure, healthcare professionals, patient safety, professional standards, opioid treatment, accreditation, health department, fee authority, substance abuse, 904, all

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on several health care bills. SB 5904 would restrict use of nursing titles such as RN, ARNP/NP, and LPN to licensed human persons, with supporters arguing it is needed to prevent AI chatbots or other non-human entities from misleading patients. SB 5877 would add a $70 surcharge for certified anesthesiologist assistants so they can participate in the Washington Physicians Health Program and access HealWA, and testimony was generally supportive. SB 5185 would create a clinical experience graduate pilot program for international medical graduates, eliminate a prior multiple sclerosis-related licensing exception, and allow qualified participants to move toward full primary care licensure; supporters said it would help address workforce shortages while maintaining patient safety. The committee also heard extensive testimony on ESSB 6210, which would let the Health Benefit Exchange adopt additional market-factor certification criteria for exchange plans, including standards aimed at meaningful differences among plans and maintaining coverage in underserved counties such as San Juan. Supporters said the bill would help stabilize access and affordability amid federal policy changes and carrier exits, while insurers and business groups argued the timeline is too fast, the criteria are too discretionary, and the bill could discourage carrier participation. The committee then heard SB 5981 on the 340B drug pricing program; supporters from hospitals, health centers, and patient advocates said it protects safety-net providers and preserves savings for vulnerable patients, while opponents from employer, pharmaceutical, and business groups argued it would raise premiums and costs, lacks transparency, and expands a program they say is already growing rapidly. The committee also took executive action on SB 5917, related to Department of Corrections dispensing and distribution of abortion medications, rejecting five proposed amendments and reporting the bill out 10-6; SB 5988, related to opioid treatment program accrediting activities, was reported out 13-3; and SB 5124, on Medicaid network adequacy for post-acute care services, was reported out unanimously 16-0.

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• using ionizing radiation from requiring health professionals to wear lead aprons during those procedures
• The bill allows a health professional to voluntarily choose to wear a lead apron even if the procedure
• to require health professionals who choose not to wear a lead apron because the procedure room is equipped
• care professionals.
• And for me, that was always a career in health care.

Bills: SB1001, SB1011, SB1016, SB1052, SB1072, SB1100, SB1112, SB1113, SB1116, SB1118, SB1120, SB1121, SB1122, SB1123, SB1124, SB1125

Keywords: appropriation, economic security, blind individuals, older adults, state funding, medical examiners, sudden infant death, autopsy protocols, forensic pathology, public health, religious exemption, employment practices, COVID-19 vaccination, accommodation, discrimination, assisted living, health care, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, physician orders, informed consent

Bills: HB25, HB38, HB997, HB 1119, HB25, HB38

Keywords: HB 25, Texas nutrition, nutrition education, healthy living, public health, school physical activity, recess, physical education, nutrition and wellness course, health curriculum, State Board of Education, Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee, ultra-processed foods, artificial colors, food additives, chronic disease, metabolic health, culinary medicine, functional medicine, dietary guidelines

Bills: HB25, HB38, HB997, HB 1119, HB25, HB38

Keywords: HB 25, Texas nutrition, nutrition education, healthy living, public health, school physical activity, recess, physical education, nutrition and wellness course, health curriculum, State Board of Education, Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee, ultra-processed foods, artificial colors, food additives, chronic disease, metabolic health, culinary medicine, functional medicine, dietary guidelines

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• He's a good football player, and his goal is to be a professional football player for the Buffalo Bills
• He's a good football player, and his goal is to be a professional football player for the Buffalo Bills
• 4, Section 5(B)(1) of the New Mexico Constitution, ordered not printed, and referred to the House Health
• We will have Health and Human Services tomorrow morning at 8:30, and because Appropriations needs their
• I just want to make sure that that room change on Health Committee is posted online, because that's a

Bills: HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM21

Keywords: nurses, health care workers, healthcare workers, frontline workers, hospital staff, clinicians, allied health professionals, support staff, public health, workforce shortage, nursing shortage, safe staffing, patient safety, rural health care, frontier communities, behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder, substance abuse, health care memorial

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• . >> Good morning and welcome to the Committee on Health. Today is Thursday, April 23rd.
• In person, we have Hawaii Public Health Institute. Not present.
• Andrew Yuen with the Department of Health EMS. We stand by. Not present. Not present.
• </c> registered nurse health policy registered nurse health policy consultant<00:14:39.640><c> and</c
• </c> Denise Cohen, Red Cross RN Health Denise Cohen, Red Cross RN Health Services<00:15:19.800><c> Director

Bills: SCR7, SCR59, SCR182

Keywords: emergency care, reproductive health, abortion services, EMTALA, patient safety, hospital regulations, medical treatment, health care professionals, emergency response, licensure, disaster response, telehealth, SCR182, S.C.R. 182, Hawaii Trauma System, trauma care, trauma center, Tripler Army Medical Center, military-civilian partnership, civilian trauma patients

Summary: The Committee on Health heard testimony on three concurrent resolutions. SCR-7 would affirm that hospitals must provide life-saving emergency care to pregnant people; supporters included the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, AAUW Hawaii, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and Hawaii Women’s Lawyers, with two individuals in opposition. A member raised a wording concern about “pregnant people” versus “pregnant women,” and the chair agreed to note the comment in the committee report. The committee then recommended passage, and the measure was adopted by vote, with Representatives Alcos voting no and Garcia not voting. SCR-59 SD1 would ask the governor to establish procedures allowing certain health care professionals to practice in Hawaii without a Hawaii-issued license during a state of emergency. The Hawaii Organization of Nurse Leaders strongly supported the resolution, citing emergency response problems during Kona low storms and the Lahaina wildfires when out-of-state licensed providers were available but could not serve. The committee recommended passage as is, and the recommendation was adopted, with Representative Garcia voting with reservations. SCR-182 would request that the governor and Department of Health work with the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal military partners to explore a military-civilian trauma partnership to strengthen Hawaii’s trauma system. The Department of Health supported the measure, and a member suggested the title should reflect “Department of War,” while another member noted the federal department name has not changed; the chair said the comments would be noted in the report. The committee recommended passage, and the resolution was adopted without objection, with Representatives Martin and Olds excused.

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• and the, the health and well-being of LGBTQ youth across Texas.
• It can also create confusion for educators, child welfare professionals, and mental health providers
• What we do have is a crisis of LGBTQ+ youth mental health distress and homelessness.
• It is supported by decades of research in child development and mental health.
• The National Institute of Health labels misgendering as abusive behavior.

Bills: HB 2646, HB 3941, HB 5153, HB 5155, HB 5394, HB 1106, HB 426, HB 4529, HB 3984, HB 4273, HB 1097, HB 3940, HB 1941, HB 4377, HB 3153

Keywords: child care, task force, high-quality care, affordability, prekindergarten partnerships, foster care, transitional living, Medicaid reform, youth assistance, independent living, services for youth, employment training, educational support, mental health services, health care, public health, child health program, reimbursement, local health entities, maternal health

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• I'm in support of House Bill 3984, so I'm the Senior Fellow for Health Care at the Texas Public Health
• health worker.
• My name is Alana Puente and I'm a certified health worker and trained mental health peer specialist and
• Local health entities play a key role in increasing access to health. of care, preventing and controlling
• , dental services, and health care. need.

Bills: HB2646, HB3941, HB5153, HB5155, HB5394, HB 1106, HB426, HB4529, HB3984, HB4273, HB 1097, HB3940, HB1941, HB4377, HB3153

Keywords: child care, task force, high-quality care, affordability, prekindergarten partnerships, foster care, transitional living, Medicaid reform, youth assistance, independent living, services for youth, employment training, educational support, mental health services, health care, public health, child health program, reimbursement, local health entities, maternal health

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• My name is Alec Mendoza, and I'm the Senior Policy Associate for Health with Texans Care for Children
• Currently, many Texas newborns are falling through the cracks and not getting timely care. timely health
• Any delays in medical care can cause significant health issues for children.
• House Bill 3940 improves access to newborn health coverage and care by providing necessary information

Bills: HB2646, HB3941, HB5153, HB5155, HB5394, HB 1106, HB426, HB4529, HB3984, HB4273, HB 1097, HB3940, HB1941, HB4377, HB3153

Keywords: child care, task force, high-quality care, affordability, prekindergarten partnerships, foster care, transitional living, Medicaid reform, youth assistance, independent living, services for youth, employment training, educational support, mental health services, health care, public health, child health program, reimbursement, local health entities, maternal health

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• Senate Bill 207 simply clarifies that an appointment with a mental health professional is also an appointment
• with a health care professional. for the purpose of excused absences.
• is health.
• Senate Bill 207 simply adds including mental health professionals to health care professionals in order
• to clarify that the statute excuses all appointments with mental health care professionals.

Bills: SB207, SB611, SB920, SB1174, SB1207, SB1325, SB1396, SB1551, SB1619

Keywords: SB 207, Texas Education Code, public school attendance, excused absence, mental health appointment, mental health care, behavioral health, school district, student absenteeism, same-day return, health care professionals, physician certification, religious holy days, court appearance, DFPS, foster care, education policy, student wellness, school mental health, attendance policy

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• The way you're treated by your health care professionals, that they're able to take the time and care
• of health care workers.
• We need to talk about mental health. Just like brain health.
• And in fact, there is a program, I'm struggling to kind of remember it, Health Professionals, maybe Ms
• care. health care.

Bills: HF2779, HF1645, HF1885, HF1289, HF1534, HF2707, HF1675, HF3046

Keywords: health care transparency, ownership disclosure, control reporting, health care consolidation, private equity, management services organization, MSO, provider organization, health insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, hospital system, affiliate reporting, financial disclosure, public reporting, market concentration, horizontal consolidation, vertical consolidation, health care ownership, corporate practice, health care regulation

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• </c> our health care system. our health care system.
• So my question is: in the medical field with licensed care, health care professionals, is there any contraindication
• </c><00:29:45.840><c> care</c><00:29:46.120><c> professionals,</c><00:29:47.120><c> is</c> know, health
• care professionals, is know, health care professionals, is there<00:29:47.640><c> any</c><00:29:48.640
• </c><00:37:51.240><c> professionals</c> remember it the health professionals remember it the health professionals

Bills: HF2779, HF1645, HF1885, HF1289, HF1534, HF2707, HF1675, HF3046

Keywords: health care transparency, ownership disclosure, control reporting, health care consolidation, private equity, management services organization, MSO, provider organization, health insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, hospital system, affiliate reporting, financial disclosure, public reporting, market concentration, horizontal consolidation, vertical consolidation, health care ownership, corporate practice, health care regulation

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• I also want to thank the doctors, patients, clinicians, and other health care professionals who are here
• Welcome to the House to all of our health care professionals in the building. Welcome to the House.
• She hopes to further serve these communities as a health care professional in the future, and she looks
• forward to the... ...serve these communities as a health care professional in the future, and she looks
• care and providership when we have traveling professionals, ...health care and providership when we

Bills: HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM18, HM21, HB10, HB11, HB12, HB13, HB14, HB31, HB50

Keywords: nurses, health care workers, healthcare workers, frontline workers, hospital staff, clinicians, allied health professionals, support staff, public health, workforce shortage, nursing shortage, safe staffing, patient safety, rural health care, frontier communities, behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder, substance abuse, health care memorial

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• With that substantial increase last year, I passed legislation to expand the mental health professional
• educators who train the next generation of mental health care professionals.
• Counselors serve a dual role in schools as both an educator and a mental health professional, and they
• Many mental health professionals have no idea they may qualify for this program.
• New mental health professionals starting their careers in these eligible settings will participate in

Bills: SB1998, SB646, SB2786, SB2076, SB2615, SB1961, SB1418, SB2647, SB1322, SB2788

Keywords: pediatrics, medical education, subsidiary, preceptorship, medical training, student programs, mental health, loan repayment, education funding, mental health professionals, healthcare access, Texas Success Initiative, exemption, public officers, employees, higher education, Capitol view, Austin, urban planning, construction

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• Back in 2015, Senator Schwartner and then Senator Zerwas created the Mental Health Professional Loan
• With that substantial increase last year, I passed legislation to expand the Mental Health Professional
• We thank the Senate for their changes last session to the Mental Health Professional Loan Repayment Program
• Counselors serve a dual role in schools as both educators and mental health professionals.
• Many of our current mental health professionals have no idea they may qualify for this program.

Bills: SB1998, SB646, SB2786, SB2076, SB2615, SB1961, SB1418, SB2647, SB1322, SB2788

Keywords: pediatrics, medical education, subsidiary, preceptorship, medical training, student programs, mental health, loan repayment, education funding, mental health professionals, healthcare access, Texas Success Initiative, exemption, public officers, employees, higher education, Capitol view, Austin, urban planning, construction

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• This change will not remove or undermine the authority of other health professionals. practicing psychology
• So any of the 128 districts, we put no money. towards their health care.
• It focuses on planning, differentiation, and professional development.
• And my mental health affected my physical health as well.
• It includes looking at the mental health and behavioral health needs of the children. crisis intervention

Bills: HB 1178, HB1411, HB1441, HB1773, HB1813, HB2107, HB2598, HB2911, HB2967, HB3672, HB5263, HB3797

Keywords: education, temporary certification, out-of-state educators, teacher shortage, military spouses, personal leave, school holidays, employee compensation, overtime provisions, school safety, peace officers, mental health, de-escalation techniques, trauma-informed care, student trustee, school board, student representation, education policy, nonvoting position, school governance

Transcript Highlights:

• I hold a degree in science in nursing and have 27 years of experience in trauma, home health, and school-based
• These numbers underscore a stark reality: families in our community often lack access to basic health
• My why for this is both professional, but really it is a personal story.

Bills: HB 1178, HB1411, HB1441, HB1773, HB1813, HB2107, HB2598, HB2911, HB2967, HB3672, HB5263, HB3797

Keywords: education, temporary certification, out-of-state educators, teacher shortage, military spouses, personal leave, school holidays, employee compensation, overtime provisions, school safety, peace officers, mental health, de-escalation techniques, trauma-informed care, student trustee, school board, student representation, education policy, nonvoting position, school governance

Bills: HB34, HM7, HM8, HM17, HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM21, HM25

Keywords: HB34, school nurse, school nurses, nurse licensure, licensure, charter school, charter schools, school district, public education, Department of Health, Public Education Department, registered nurse, RN, mentorship, evaluation, competency, teacher salary parity, minimum salary, level one license, level two license

Transcript Highlights:

• These are professionals who are using their... professional expertise to review the records and are under
• Public Health Committee, so glad to be here.
• You're the public health committee.
• . shot of the health care landscape in Texas.
• It will allow well-trained and experienced health care professionals who would otherwise need to leave

Bills: HB713, HB827, HB932, HB499, HB510, HB163, HB296, HB879, HB913, HB163, HB296

Keywords: healthcare, maternal health, reporting requirements, Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee, health provider immunity, workplace violence, nurses, grant program, healthcare facilities, safety measures, safety, nursing, grants, healthcare safety, verbal abuse, physical abuse, nurse empowerment, occupational therapy, licensure, interstate practice