Author: DW Admin

Upcoming Hearings for week of April 1

Health Advocates Testify for State Health Literacy Plan
Lawmakers Propose Legislation to Ensure Continuity of Care for Women
House Appropriations Committee Pass Budget Bills
Texas Senate Committee Discusses Recess Policies in Schools
Public Health Community Advocate to Raise Age to Purchase Tobacco Products

Advocacy

Bill Tracking

Research

2018 State of Texas Children: The Road to a Brighter Future

___________________________________________________________________________________________

State Updates

Health Advocates Testify for State Health Literacy Plan

State Representative John Turner with health literacy advocates from San Antonio, Dallas and Fort Worth, TX

Methodist Healthcare Ministries submitted testimony in support of House Bill 2032 by Representative John Turner (D-Dallas) at the House Public Health committee hearing last Wednesday. The bill would direct the Statewide Health Coordinating Council’s advisory committee to develop a plan that will increase health literacy, so Texans are able to obtain, process and understand basic health information to make healthy decisions. Dr. Caroline Bergeron from the Bexar County Health Collaborative, Dr. Oralia Bazaldua and Dr. Teresa Wagner from University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC) also testified in support of the bill. The bill will be amended to include oral health and is expected to be voted out of the Public Health Committee in the coming weeks.

One out of five Texans lacks the knowledge to manage their health and prevent diseases. Low health literacy is linked to poor health outcomes, less frequent use of preventive services and higher rates of hospitalization. Knowing how to seek medical care and take advantage of preventive services requires understanding health information to make informed decisions. House Bill 2032 would save lives by increasing communication between patients and providers, improve the health of Texans by increasing access to preventive health care services and reduce health care costs by reducing unnecessary admissions to hospitals. Methodist Healthcare Ministries was instrumental in bringing this issue forward in 2017 and strongly supports the passage of House Bill 2032 and its efforts to improve the health and wellness of all Texans.

Lawmakers Propose Legislation to Ensure Continuity of Care for Women

Throughout the week, Methodist Healthcare Ministries supported several bills that would ensure women receive health services after delivery. Methodist Healthcare Ministries provided testimony to the House Human Services Committee in support of House Bill 744 by Representative Toni Rose (D-Dallas) to extend Medicaid for postpartum women up to 12 months. Several organizations testified in support of the bill, including the Texas Women’s Health Coalition and United Methodist Women, which was left pending in the committee by Chairman James Frank (R-Wichita Falls). Additionally, the House Insurance Committee considered House Bill 937 by Representative Sarah Davis (R-West University Place) to allow women to receive a 12-month supply of prescription contraceptives at one time. Supported by Methodist Healthcare Ministries, House Bill 937 was left pending in the committee by Chairman Eddie Lucio, III (D-Brownsville).

On Wednesday, The House Public Health Committee took testimony on House Bill 1641 by Representative Angie Chen Button (R-Richardson) and House Bill 2028 by Representative Julie Johnson (D-Carrolton). Both bills would ensure women receive proper follow-up care after delivery by requiring the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to provide information about the Healthy Texas Women program, including a list of providers in the area who are contracted with the program. House Bill 2028 would also require HHSC to provide a list of local hospitals in the notice. Both bills were left pending in the committee by Chairwoman Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston). Methodist Healthcare Ministries weighed in favorably on House Bill 1641 and House Bill 2028 to ensure continuity of quality care for women after pregnancy.

House Appropriations Committee Passes Budget Bills

On Monday, Methodist Healthcare Ministries submitted testimony to the House Appropriations Committee on health-related budget items in the General Appropriations Bill (House Bill 1) by Representative John Zerwas (R-Richmond) and the Supplemental Appropriations Bill (Senate Bill 500) by Senator Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound). Both bills were voted favorably out of the House budget committee.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ testimony focused on securing full replacement funding for the San Antonio State Hospital and increases in salaries for state hospital employees. Full funding for construction and salaries are crucial to sustain operations and increase access to inpatient behavioral health services for the families in SASH’s 55-county catchment area. Methodist Healthcare Ministries also included recommendations for increased funding for outpatient behavioral health services, coordinated specialty care for First Episode Psychosis (FEP) and substance use services administered by the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS).

Texas Senate Committee Discusses Recess Policies in Schools

Methodist Healthcare Ministries provided written testimony in support of Senate Bill 364 by Senator Kirk Watson (D-Austin) at the Senate Education Committee’s hearing on March 12. The bill would require the Texas Education Agency to develop age-appropriate model recess policies that encourage constructive outdoor play time, provide guidance to school districts on maximizing physical activity and encourage Boards of Trustees to solicit input from local school health advisory councils (SHACs) for the adoption of policies that improve academic, physical and mental well-being. Senator Watson offered an amended version of SB 364 that would require SHACs, in lieu of the Texas Education Agency, to develop recess policies. The bill was left pending in committee.

Texas has the seventh highest obesity rate for youth ages 10-17 in the U.S., with over 600,000 Texas youth who are considered obese. Daily recess is shown to have health, social and academic benefits for students; however statewide policy recommendations do not exist. Senate Bill 364 would ensure children are active throughout the day, so they are more likely to thrive academically and socially. Methodist Healthcare Ministries supports the efforts of Senate Bill 364 to reduce childhood obesity and improve the health of our youngest generation.

Public Health Community Advocate to Raise Age to Purchase Tobacco Products

Several public health advocates testified in support of Senate Bill 21 by Senator Joan Huffman (R-Houston) at the Senate State Affairs Committee hearing last week, asking to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21, more commonly known as Tobacco 21. Testimony focused on the medical and public health benefits associated with raising the age to access for tobacco products, including the prevention of cancer and other chronic diseases.

Senator Huffman shared with committee members that two-thirds of Texas voters favor raising the age for buying tobacco products to 21. About 95 percent of smokers start before the age of 12 and over 10,000 kids in Texas become daily smokers every year. Studies show that 498,000 Texas kids will ultimately die prematurely due to smoking. Raising the age to purchase tobacco is an effective strategy to fight tobacco use, one that the City of San Antonio effectively enacted on behalf of its residents on October 2018. Methodist Healthcare Ministries fully supports the Tobacco 21 initiative and all prevention efforts that improve the health and wellness of our communities.

Upcoming Hearings for week of April 1

Posted Agendas for House Committees
Posted Agendas for Senate Committees

Upcoming Meetings & Events

Apr 2: Immunization Advocacy and Rally Day– Sponsored by Methodist Healthcare Ministries (Austin)

Apr 15-16: TX Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy 8^thAnnual Symposium– Sponsored by Methodist Healthcare Ministries (Austin)

For more information on health care research, policy or advocacy,please contact Chris Yanas at cyanas@mhm.org.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. welcomes new Vice President of Strategic Planning and Growth

DW Admin on March 25, 2019

(San Antonio) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. is proud to announce the addition of DeAnna Bokinsky as the new vice president for strategic planning and growth. Bokinsky joins Methodist Healthcare Ministries after spending more than 25 years of her career successfully leading other organizations toward excellence. She officially started with the organization on February 18, 2019.

At Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Bokinsky will leverage her experience and background in healthcare management, business, performance improvement and network development — including provider recruitment and retention, to enable Methodist Healthcare Ministries in further developing effective strategy to guide the organization into the next decade.

Jaime Wesolowski, president and CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries, stated “we are thrilled to have her on our team. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our organization, which will undoubtedly enhance the work we do for the least served in our communities. Her expertise in strategic planning will provide each one of us with the support we need to continue impacting the lives of those we serve.”

Before joining Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Bokinsky served as president and CEO of Vision Point Partners, in Dallas-Fort Worth. Bokinsky was also a founding partner of Surge Advisors, LLC, in Dallas-Fort Worth. She served as vice president of Strategic Planning and chief of staff to the CEO at Parkland Health & Hospital System in Dallas. Before Parkland, she worked at Children’s Medical Center, as their director of Planning & Health Care Economics, also in Dallas. Before that, DeAnna was director of Planning and Business Development at University of Missouri Health Care, in Columbia, Missouri, for 16 years. DeAnna is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. She also serves on the National Board of Examiners for Malcolm Baldridge and is a certified executive coach.

Bokinsky earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Lincoln University, and her master’s degree in Health Administration, from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

"I'm extremely excited to be part of an organization that is dedicated to improving the health of the least served in our community," said DeAnna Bokinsky. "It's an honor to be here and to be able to impact lives."

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. is a private, faith-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating access to health care for the uninsured through direct services, community partnerships and strategic grant-making in 74 counties across South Texas. Guided by its mission of "Serving Humanity to Honor God," Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ vision is to be the leader for improving wellness of the least served. The mission also includes Methodist Healthcare Ministries' one-half ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System, the largest healthcare system in South Texas, which creates a unique avenue to ensure that it continues to be a benefit to the community by providing quality care to all and charitable care when needed. For more information, visit www.mhm.org.

The Southwest Texas Crisis Collaborative is Having a Positive Impact on Our Community

DW Admin on March 22, 2019

On Jan. 31, I was honored to speak at The Health Cell’s 2019 State of the Industry event, alongside Sarah Hogan from the South Texas Regional Advisory Council (STRAC). We presented on the Southwest Texas Crisis Collaborative (STCC), a unique and unprecedented partnership between local health systems, mental health care providers, public safety agencies and philanthropy that is improving the continuum of care for the most vulnerable residents – unfunded and underfunded patients experiencing mental illness, homelessness and/or chronic illness.

San Antonio is home to over 350,000 individuals in the safety net population – people who may not have insurance, live at, below or near the poverty level and are otherwise considered vulnerable. This is a population that often does not receive the care, or the quality of care that they need. San Antonio, like many other communities, had previously experienced the same bureaucratic and logistical obstacles to providing this population with the care they need. That is when community partners came together to form the STCC.

The Collaborative brought together local health systems, mental health care providers, public safety agencies, city and county government, nonprofits, and philanthropic partners to develop a vision and a plan for how to close the gaps in the continuum of care and provide this population with access to the care they urgently need.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries took the lead by committing to funding the collaborative with nearly $20 million over five years to cover the initial year of STCC's operations and infrastructure, as well as four additional years of programming and initiatives. In a unique and unprecedented move, the city’s six competitor hospital systems invested a collective $8 million, with additional funding from Bexar County and the San Antonio Area Foundation, as well as the leveraging of state funding.This collection of resources has allowed the Collaborative to develop and implement new and innovative solutions to improve access to care for some of our most vulnerable residents.

There are multiple players involved in providing access and delivering care to this population throughout the community. STRAC serves as the “backbone” of the Collaborative and keeps everyone connected and working toward the established goals. With all of the key players at the table, the Collaborative has developed five key initiatives.

1. Enhance the MEDCOM Law Enforcement Navigation program

Enhancing the MEDCOM Law Enforcement Navigation program expedites access to psychiatric care for individuals who are experiencing a mental health crisis, but who are otherwise medically stable. Instead of taking all patients to the nearest emergency room, the MEDCOM coordinator can direct the officer to the closest, most appropriate mental health facility for treatment, depending on age, gender and bed availability. This leads to less people taking up beds or space in a crowded ER and allows the patient to get the help they need faster. On average, 800-900 patients were navigated directly to psychiatric care each month in 2018. We have seen a 97 percent adoption rate of this practice among 26 area law enforcement agencies, including the San Antonio Police Department and the Bexar County Sheriffs’ Office.

2. Decrease Overutilization of 911 residents at Haven for Hope

Haven for Hope holds the distinction of being the number one address for 911 calls in San Antonio. The focus of the second initiative we implemented in 2018 was to decrease the overutilization of 911 from residents at Haven for Hope and to decrease the rate of EMS transports to emergency rooms for conditions that could be managed otherwise. For this initiative, we established an Acute Care Station at Haven for Hope and the San Antonio Fire Department dedicated a paramedic trained in their Mobile Integrated Health model to the site each shift. The paramedic is on-site in the evening hours and able to respond to 911 calls and make an assessment about how to best treat the patient. In the majority of cases, the patients have been treated on-site and released and/or referred to the CentroMed clinic site at Haven for Hope for follow-up care. There are, of course, situations where the patient's condition necessitates transport to the hospital. Having the paramedic responding to 911 calls from Haven saves time and critical resources. This initiative has resulted in a decrease in the EMS transport rate from Haven for Hope from 70 percent in 2017 to 17 percent in 2018. When an ambulance transport costs about $900 and the triage in an ER costs about $1000, this translates into a roughly calculated savings of over $665,000 in 2018 alone.

3. Expand the Psychiatric Emergency Services unit

The third key initiative that the Collaborative launched is the expansion of the Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) unit, an emergency room focused specifically on psychiatric crisis intervention. Patients may arrive at the PES by law enforcement or with a friend or family member. They see a psychiatrist within four hours of arrival and the average length of stay is 48-72 hours. Some patients are admitted to the inpatient unit, but the majority are discharged directly back to their home environment. The expansion of the PES provided capacity to allow us to implement an inter-facility transfer program. Using MEDCOM as the navigator, local emergency departments could transfer medically cleared patients to the PES via an “auto accept” process. In just 10 weeks of implementation, 922 patients were successfully transferred from an emergency department to the PES. Previously, it could take hours to days to transfer a patient from the emergency department to psychiatric care. The auto accept process has decreased the wait time to about two hours.

4. Provide Transitional Step-down Housing support

In late 2018, we welcomed Crosspoint, Inc. as a provider to the Collaborative with the opening of a behavioral health diversion program for individuals with a mental health diagnosis transitioning out of jail or inpatient hospitalization. Clients are able to stay up to 180 days, and receive 24/7 residential support, individual and group behavioral health services, and case management.

5. Develop the TAVConnect technology platform

We’ve also been developing the TAVConnect technology platform to help connect the dots and providers in the system of care, and to address patients’ social determinants of health, thereby facilitating better patient outcomes. We have 8 healthcare providers online and using the system. We expect to deploy TAVConnect to additional Collaborative partners in 2019.

Although the STCC is still relatively new, the Collaborative has achieved many early successes. But, what is most exciting, is the improved access to appropriate care we have provided for the neediest in our community.

This is leading to improved outcomes for all of the partners involved, but most especially for the patients as well as the communities we serve. We at Methodist Healthcare Ministries hope this unprecedented collaboration helps others outside San Antonio see what we already know to be true about our community: Through collaboration and partnership, we will do all the good we can, for as many as we can – regardless of ability to pay. This Collaborative is a pivotal and transformative moment for our community’s system of care — we are proud to be a part of It. Onward!

Legislative Update, March 19

DW Admin on March 19, 2019

Methodist Healthcare Ministries Sponsors Violence and Trauma Conference in Edinburg
Texas Legislators Discuss Funding for San Antonio State Hospital Reconstruction
House Committees Looks to Improve Children’s Health
House Public Health Committee Addresses Access to Women’s Health Programs
Ray Lopez Wins Race for Texas House District 125

Advocacy

Bill Tracking

Research

2018 State of Texas Children: The Road to a Brighter Future

___________________________________________________________________________________________

State Updates

Methodist Healthcare Ministries Sponsors Violence and Trauma Conference in Edinburg

With one in three Texans experiencing domestic violence in their life, family violence is a serious issue in Texas. On Tuesday, March 19, the RGV Equal Voice Network is hosting a Conference on Interpersonal Violence and Trauma at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) campus in Edinburg, Texas. Methodist Healthcare Ministries is proud to sponsor the event to promote awareness and education on issues regarding interpersonal violence and trauma. The half day conference will include a keynote presentation by Julian D. Ford, Ph.D., ABPP on promoting healthy relationships among young adults dealing with violence and trauma and a panel discussion about risk and resilience in interpersonal trauma.

In 2018, Methodist Healthcare Ministries joined Texas Impact in commissioning Responding to Family Violence: A Toolkit for Texas Faith Communities, a publication that provides educational materials and resources for congregations to promote awareness about family violence. Supporting public policies that provide services and resources for family violence victims is a top priority for the Ministries.

Texas Legislators Discuss Funding for San Antonio State Hospital Reconstruction

This past week, the Senate Finance and the House Appropriations Committees discussed funding the reconstruction of state mental health hospitals, including the San Antonio State Hospital (SASH). Methodist Healthcare Ministries submitted written testimony to the Senate Finance Committee in support of Senate Bill 500 by Senator Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound. Bexar County mental health stakeholders joining in with support testimony included The Center for Health Care Services, University Health System and Clarity Child Guidance Center. Senate Bill 500 was voted out of the Senate Finance Committee on Monday and voted out favorably by the Senate Chamber on Wednesday. The bill was referred to the House Appropriations Committee and has been posted for a hearing on Monday, March 18.

The House Appropriations Committee met last Tuesday to accept subcommittee recommendations which includes reconstruction funds for SASH and an increase in salaries for state hospital employees. The Committee voted to adopt $270 million in funds for the San Antonio State Hospital, along with funding for other state hospitals in Texas. Committee members adopted an increase of $30 million for state hospital staff salaries, which is 50 percent of HHSC’s initial budget request. Work continues to secure full funding of SASH and HHSC’s exceptional item request for state hospital salaries, which are essential to sustain operations.

House Committees Look to Improve Children’s Health

Methodist Healthcare Ministries provided written testimony in support of several bills that would improve the health and wellness of Texas’ youngest generation in several committee hearings this week. House Bill 680 by Representative Joe Deshotel (D-Beaumont), which was heard in the House Committee on International Relations and Economic Development, would require the Texas Workforce Commission to assess and report the average cost of child care and total number of providers and children participating in the state’s subsidized child care program. The bill was left pending in the committee by Chairman Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas).

Methodist Healthcare Ministries also weighed in on House Bill 340 and House Bill 342 by Representative Philip Cortez (D-San Antonio) this past week. HB 340 would reduce childhood obesity by requiring 30 minutes of daily recess for children from pre-K to 2^nd grade, providing schools the opportunity to improve students’ physical activity and health. The bill was left pending in the House Public Education Committee by Chairman Dan Huberty (R-Houston). HB 342 addressed efforts to reduce the state’s uninsured rate for children by requiring continuous coverage on the Medicaid program for up to 12 months. The State’s current Medicaid policy allows for a six-month continuous coverage for children, followed by month-to-month audits on family income. HB 342 was left pending in the House Human Services Committee by Chairman James Frank (R-Wichita Falls).

House Public Health Committee Addresses Access to Women’s Health Programs

On Wednesday, Methodist Healthcare Ministries supported House Bill 1589 by Representative Evelina Ortega (D-El Paso) in written testimony to the House Public Health Committee. House Bill 1589 informs women about their auto-enrollment into the Healthy Texas Women (HTW) program during their third trimester, securing continuity of care for women’s health services after delivery. The bill was left pending in the Public Health Committee by Chairwoman Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston).

Auto-enrollment from Medicaid into the HTW program 60 days postpartum has been an important policy change to increase the number of women who access health care after they deliver through Medicaid. Legislative initiatives such as House Bill 1589 would ensure more women who are auto-enrolled are able to receive services. HTW increases continuity of care for women in a vulnerable period after delivery by improving birth spacing and health outcomes for future pregnancies, leading to stronger families and savings to the state and local taxpayers. Methodist Healthcare Ministries supports House Bill 1589 and its efforts to eliminate barriers to preventive healthcare and family planning services.

Ray Lopez Wins Race for Texas House District 125

Ray Lopez (D-San Antonio) won the special election runoff for House District 125 to replace former State Representative Justin Rodriguez who vacated the seat to accept the two-year appointment of Bexar County Commissioner. This will be Lopez’ third political office after spending eight years on the San Antonio City Council and almost a decade as a trustee for the Northside Independent School District. Methodist Healthcare Ministries congratulates Representative-Elect Lopez on his appointment and looks forward to working with him to improve the health and wellness of the residents of District 125.

Upcoming Meetings & Events

Mar 19: Senate Education Committee Hearing – Children’s Health (Austin)

Mar 19: House Human Services Committee Hearing (Austin)

Mar 19: Senate Health & Human Services Committee Hearing (Austin)

Mar 19: House Insurance Committee Hearing (Austin)

Mar 19: Conference on Interpersonal Violence and Trauma – Sponsored by Methodist Healthcare Ministries (Edinburg)

Mar 20: House Public Health Committee Hearing (Austin)

Mar 20: House Juvenile Justice & Family Issues Committee Hearing (Austin)

Mar 20: House Higher Education Committee Hearing (Austin)

Mar 20: Senate Higher Education Committee Hearing (Austin)

Mar 21: House Corrections Committee Hearing (Austin)

Mar 21: House County Affairs Committee Hearing (Austin)

Mar 21: House Urban Affairs Committee Hearing (Austin)

Mar 22: Bexar County Mental Health Consortium Meeting (San Antonio)

Mar 28: Texas Impact Advocacy Day (Austin)

Mar 30: SASH Spring Thing 5K – Sponsored by Methodist Healthcare Ministries (San Antonio)

Apr 2: Immunization Advocacy and Rally Day – Sponsored by Methodist Healthcare Ministries (Austin)

Apr 15-15: Texas Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy’s 8 ^th Annual Symposium (Austin)

For more information on health care research, policy or advocacy,please contact Chris Yanas at cyanas@mhm.org.

Legislative Update, March 8

DW Admin on March 8, 2019

Methodist Healthcare Ministries Sponsors Healthcare “Let the People Vote!” Rally
Methodist Healthcare Ministries Leads Healthcare Advocacy Efforts for VIVA San Antonio Chambers’ Day at the Capitol
House Insurance Committee hears testimony on Health Care Expansion Bill
State Clubhouses Seek Increased State Funding for Services
Texas Legislature Moves Forward with Healthcare Workforce Bills

Advocacy

Bill Tracking

Research

2018 State of Texas Children: The Road to a Brighter Future

___________________________________________________________________________________________

State Updates

Methodist Healthcare Ministries Sponsors Healthcare “Let the People Vote!” Rally

“Let the People Vote!” Rally

March 4^th, 2019

On Monday, health care advocates from across the state gathered at the Texas Capitol to urge state lawmakers to allow voters to decide whether Texas should expand the state’s Medicaid program. Nearly two dozen Texas organizations came together for the Texas Rally, sponsored in part by Methodist Healthcare Ministries, to support Senate Bill 524 by Senator Nathan Johnson (D-Dallas), House Bill 590 by Representative Celia Israel (D-Austin), House Bill 840 and House Joint Resolution 46 by Representative John Bucy (D-Austin) to place Medicaid expansion language on the ballot in Texas.

Texas is one of 14 states that chose not to expand Medicaid to cover additional populations of needy adults under the Affordable Care Act. Currently, Texas Medicaid covers low-income adults who are pregnant, children, seniors in long-term living facilities and Texans with severe disabilities or near-death illnesses. There are also a small number of parents earning less than $320 a month who also qualify. Should voters support federal funding for expansion, over 1 million Texans would become eligible to receive affordable health insurance.

A recent poll by the Episcopal Health Foundation revealed that 64 percent of Texans promote a statewide Medicaid expansion. Methodist Healthcare Ministries strongly supports increasing access to health insurance for our communities.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries Leads Healthcare Advocacy Efforts for VIVA San Antonio Chamber’s Day at the Capitol

Members of the San Antonio Chamber’s Healthcare and Bioscience Committee with Lexi O’Hair, Policy Analyst for Senator Jose Menendez (D-San Antonio)

Methodist Healthcare Ministries led healthcare advocacy efforts for the VIVA San Antonio Chambers of Commerce Day at the Capitol on Tuesday, March 5. Members of the Chambers’ Healthcare Committees met with legislative staff from Representative Trey Martinez Fischer (D-San Antonio), Senator Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels), Senator Jose Menendez (D-San Antonio), Representative Philip Cortez (D-San Antonio), Representative Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) and Representative Steve Allison (R-San Antonio) on healthcare issues impacting the residents of San Antonio and Bexar County.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Department of Policy and Advocacy staff educated policymakers on the need to improve access to health coverage for an estimated 300,000 uninsured adults in Bexar County and the importance of funding for the full reconstruction of the San Antonio State Hospital, as well as the need to create the necessary number of graduate medical education (GME) residency slots to keep our medical school graduates in Texas.

The group also asked legislators to support state agencies’ requests for substance use funding for all Texans, especially the most vulnerable populations. Methodist Healthcare Ministries appreciates the opportunity to lead San Antonio businesses and local government organizations on legislation affecting health care for San Antonio.

House Insurance Committee hears testimony on Health Care Expansion Bill

On Tuesday, Methodist Healthcare Ministries provided written testimony to the House Insurance Committee in support of House Bill 565 by Representative Garnet Coleman (D-Houston) to expand Medicaid coverage up to 100 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and protect individuals with pre-existing conditions. It is estimated that close to 700,000 low-wage Texans continue to fall into the “coverage gap” – these are individuals who do not have employer-sponsored coverage, earn too little to qualify for health insurance subsidies through the federal healthcare exchange programs and do not qualify for Medicaid coverage. HB 565 would help close the coverage gap by allowing individuals below the 100 percent FPL to receive Medicaid benefits through a sliding scale subsidy to purchase a health benefit plan.

To support a strong health care infrastructure, Texas must increase access for uninsured residents through affordable health coverage, especially for our families below 100 percent of the FPL. It is essential for the State to invest in public health programs that protect and improve the health of vulnerable Texans by supporting statewide initiatives that secure access to providers and services for our families. HB 565 was left pending in the committee by Chairman Eddie Lucio, III (D-Brownsville).

State Clubhouses Seek Increased State Funding for Services

Clubhouses across Texas, including the San Antonio Clubhouse, are requesting an increase in state funding from $1.7 million to $5 million for the 2020-2021 biennium to expand the clubhouse delivery model across the State. The Clubhouse model is an evidence-based, recovery-oriented program for adults diagnosed with a mental illness to improve their ability to function successfully in the community through a peer-focused environment. The 85^thLegislature designated $1.7 million for 14 certified Clubhouses in Texas, however, mental health stakeholders are seeking an additional $3.3 million to increase access to these services in more Texas communities.

Clubhouses provide a caring, supportive community and meaningful work to individuals living with mental illness to avoid crises that often result in hospitalization or incarceration. The evidence-based model surrounds the person with a community of peers and programs that helps them thrive in the community. Clubhouses can save $2,650 a day in hospitalization and jail prevention costs for local communities. Increased funding for the expansion of Clubhouse facilities is a legislative priority for Methodist Healthcare Ministries, which also supports and financially invests in the San Antonio Clubhouse facility and programs.

Texas Legislature Moves Forward with Healthcare Workforce Bills

The Texas House and Senate voted to progress legislation this week that would improve the healthcare workforce in the State. On Tuesday, the Senate Chamber approved Senate Bill 10, by Senator Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound), which addresses child psychiatric workforce issues by establishing a Child Psychiatry Access Program (CPAP) at health-related institutions to provide telemedicine and telehealth services for pediatricians and primary care providers throughout the state.

On Wednesday, the House Higher Education Committee voted House Bill 80, by Representative Lina Ortega (D-El Paso), out of the committee to be considered on the House floor. HB 80 would require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to conduct a study on statewide and regional shortages in health professions, focusing on doctoral degrees such as physicians, nursing, psychology and dentistry. The House Higher Education Committee also considered House Bill 1065, by Representative Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin), to establish a Rural Resident Physician Grant Program to encourage new graduate medical education (GME) positions in rural and nonmetropolitan areas.

Texas’ rapid population growth places unparalleled demand on its healthcare workforce, ultimately diminishing access to care for all residents. To make matters worse, the provider workforce is disproportionally distributed across Texas with more than 57 percent of the state’s physicians practicing in the five most populous counties, despite only representing 44 percent of the population. These bills would bolster the healthcare workforce and increase access to care for Texans living in rural communities. Methodist Healthcare Ministries supports legislation to incentivize and support healthcare providers to serve in areas with limited access to health care treatment, notably in our state’s rural communities.

Upcoming Meetings & Events

Mar 11: Senate State Affairs: Guardianship and Healthcare Workforce (Austin)

Mar 11: House Appropriations: Budget Riders (Austin)

Mar 11: Senate Finance: Supplemental Appropriations (Austin)

Mar 12: House Appropriations: salary requests and Capital Needs (Austin)

Mar 28: Texas Impact Advocacy Day (Austin)

Mar 30: SASH Spring Thing 5K– Sponsored by Methodist Healthcare Ministries (San Antonio)

Apr 2: Immunization Advocacy and Rally Day– Sponsored by Methodist Healthcare Ministries (Austin)

For more information on health care research, policy or advocacy,please contact Chris Yanas at cyanas@mhm.org.

Legislative Update, March 1

DW Admin on March 1, 2019

Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer Convenes San Antonio Meeting with House Budget Chair John Zerwas and local leaders
House Human Services Committee Discusses SNAP Work Requirements
Methodist Healthcare Ministries Support School Mental Health Bills
House Appropriations Subcommittee Adopts Healthcare Budget Items
El Paso Lawmaker Proposes Texas Health Care Workforce Study

Advocacy

Bill Tracking

Research

2018 State of Texas Children: The Road to a Brighter Future

___________________________________________________________________________________________

State Updates

Rep. Trey Martinez-Fischer Convenes San Antonio Meeting with House Budget Chair John Zerwas and local leaders

Bexar Legislative Delegation members meet with House Budget Chair John Zerwas in San Antonio to share top funding priorities.

Rep. Trey Martinez-Fischer (D – San Antonio) convened a meeting Friday, Feb. 22., for local Bexar officials and business leaders, providing them with an opportunity to share their top legislative priorities with House Appropriations Chair John Zerwas (R – Richmond). County Judge Nelson Wolff and Mayor Ron Nirenberg welcomed Chair Zerwas and focused their remarks on the potential harm that would come to local government if Senate Bill 2 were to pass. SB 2 by Senator Paul Bettencourt (R – Houston), would limit the amount of revenue that local governments like cities, counties and special districts can collect without voter approval.

Specific to issues impacting Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ work on mental health, healthcare stakeholders asked for Chair Zerwas’ support to fund the construction of a new San Antonio State Hospital, estimated to cost roughly $300 million. Local mental health providers were instrumental in securing $14.5 million in 2017 to develop the plans for a new SASH facility and delivery system that serves a 54-county catchment area. Other issues brought forward included funding for public and higher education, medical schools and family protective services.

House Human Services Committee Discusses SNAP Work Requirements

This week, the House Human Services Committee heard testimony on House Bill 285 by Representative Drew Springer (R-Muenster), prohibiting work exemptions for adults without dependents in the SNAP program. Currently, adults without children who are not able to work can receive SNAP benefits for up to three months every three years, but federal regulations allow states to waive this time limit in areas where jobs are not available. The bill would remove Texas’ waiver of the time limit and require all adults to receive job training and work for at least 30 hours a week.

The Center for Public Policy Priorities (CPPP), expressed concerns about the bill and how it could lead to higher rates of hunger by ending Texas’ flexibility in SNAP assistance to respond to disasters, local workforce conditions and needs of special groups, such as former foster care children. Young adults aging out of the foster system often struggle to find work and report high rates of hunger. HB 285 would prevent the state from aiding these young adults while they are looking for work. Methodist Healthcare Ministries supports public policies that work to reduce hunger for our neediest families, especially for those in rural and underserved communities.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries Supports School Mental Health Bills

Methodist Healthcare Ministries weighed in favorably on several bills in Tuesday’s House Public Education hearing that would increase mental health resources for students. Representative Shawn Thierry (D-Houston) laid out House Bill 198, which would permissively allow school-based health centers to provide mental health resources and services, and House Bill 204, which would include mental health in the required curriculum for public school students. Additionally, Methodist Healthcare Ministries supported House Bill 129, by Representative Diego Bernal (D-San Antonio), and House Bill 239, by Representative Jessica Farrar (D- Houston) which would increase mental health workforce in schools. HB 129 would require schools with 90 percent economically disadvantaged students to have at least one social worker or counselor on campus and HB 239 would allow social workers to provide services in schools.

One in five Texas school children live with a mental health condition such as depression or anxiety, but over 60 percent of students do not receive the mental health treatment they need. These bills would increase access to mental health services in school settings and help students address mental health challenges to improve grades, behavior, health and safety. Methodist Healthcare Ministries strongly supports legislation that enhances mental health services and support programs for students.

House Appropriations Subcommittee Adopts Healthcare Budget Items

The Texas House Appropriations Subcommittee on Article II met this past week to adopt funding requests for several exceptional items brought forward by the state’s health care agencies. The committee adopted the Health and Human Services Commission’s (HHSC) request to provide an additional $72.6 million for Early Childhood Intervention (ECI), an additional $88.13 million for caseload and cost growth in Women’s Health Programs, an increase of $45.7 million to expand substance use treatment and an additional $3.5 million for housing and case management support for individuals with disabilities.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries appreciates the efforts of Chairwoman Sarah Davis (R-Houston) and members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Article II, including Rep. Philip Cortez (D-San Antonio), to ensure adequate funding is allocated for Texas’ most vulnerable populations such as children, women and individuals with mental illness.

El Paso Lawmaker Proposes Texas Health Care Workforce Study

Representative Lina Ortega (D-El Paso) presented House Bill 80 in the House Higher Education Committee Hearing Wednesday, Feb. 27, which would require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to conduct a study that would identify statewide and regional shortages in health professions, with emphasis on shortages in professions with doctoral degrees. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board would make recommendations on new and existing programs to meet the increased need for health professionals in a report to the Legislature by December 1, 2023.

Currently, Texas only meets 55 percent of the needed primary care workforce, 46.3 percent of the needed dental workforce and 35.5 percent of the needed mental health workforce. Adding to the shortage is the 34 percent of primary care physicians and 60 percent of psychiatrists who will be past retirement age by 2025.

If passed, HB 80 would allow the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to understand statewide and regional shortages and find solutions to mitigate the effects going forward. Supporting legislation that improves Texas’ healthcare workforce shortages in rural and underserved areas is a legislative priority for Methodist Healthcare Ministries.

Upcoming Meetings & Events

Mar 4: Let the People Vote! Texas Rally for Medicaid Expansion (Austin)

Mar 4: House Defense and Veterans’ Affairs Committee Hearing – Mental Health (Austin)

Mar 4: House Appropriations Committee Hearing – Regulatory Agencies (Austin)

Mar 4: House Appropriations S/C Infrastructure, Resiliency & Investment (Austin)

Mar 4: House Defense and Veterans’ Affairs – Mental Health (Austin)

Mar 5: Viva San Antonio Legislative Day at the Capitol (Austin)

Mar 5: House Human Services Hearing (Austin)

Mar 5: Health Insurance Committee Hearing – Healthcare (Austin)

Mar 6: Recovery Day at the Capitol (Austin)

Mar 6: Senate Higher Education Hearing (Austin)

Mar 6: Texans Care for Children’s 13^thAnnual Founders Luncheon (Austin)

Mar 7: House Appropriations Hearing (Austin)

Mar 28: Texas Impact Advocacy Day (Austin)

Mar 30: SASH Spring Thing 5K (San Antonio)

Apr 2: Immunization Advocacy and Rally Day (Austin)

New Funding Opportunity for South Texas Nonprofits

DW Admin on February 27, 2019

San Antonio (Feb. 27, 2019)–Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. is proud to support the third cohort of the BUILD Health Challenge which opened its Call for Applications Wednesday, Feb. 27. The challenge represents an opportunity for nonprofit organizations across South Texas to apply for up to $250,000 in funding over the next two and a half years and gain access and exposure to a national network of funders and experts.

With a focus on strengthening partnerships between community-based organizations, hospitals and health systems, and local health departments, the BUILD Health Challenge is seeking innovative collaboratives who are working together to address upstream challenges and drive sustainable improvements in community health.

The BUILD Health Initiative is supported by multiple national funders, including the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and de Beaumant Foundation. This year, Methodist Healthcare Ministries is joining the BUILD Health Challenge as a regional investor, bringing this opportunity to South Texas for the first time.

In addition to funding, awards include a robust array of coaching and support services; specialized trainings and capacity building opportunities; participation in a national network of peers engaged in similar work; and the opportunity to spotlight their local work on a national level.

Applications are due April 5, 2019. To learn more about this opportunity—eligibility requirements and how to apply—visit: www.buildhealthchallenge.organd download the 2019 Call for Applications. The Call for Applications includes key dates, including informational webinars for prospective applicants.

The third cohort of the BUILD Health Challenge is made possible with generous support from: the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation, de Beaumont Foundation, Episcopal Health Foundation, the Kresge Foundation, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.

About The Build Health Challenge

The BUILD Health Challenge® is a national awards that strengthens partnerships between local nonprofit organizations, hospitals and health systems, and local health departments to drive sustainable improvements in community health. Created by the de Beaumont Foundation, the Colorado Health Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in 2015, it has grown to now also include support from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation; BlueCross and BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation; Blue Shield of California; Communities Foundation of Texas; Episcopal Health Foundation; Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.; New Jersey Health Initiatives; and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Keeping Kids Healthy

DW Admin on February 26, 2019

Imagine being a kid again and sitting in class feeling sick. Now imagine having parents that have no access to healthcare with limited financial resources. And, not knowing where to take their child for the medical care they need.

Thanks to Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., children enrolled in the Marion and Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School Districts can receive the care they need, despite not having health insurance.

Whether it’s a cold, toothache, ear infection, sports physical or making sure kids get their annual immunizations, Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ School Based Health Center teams can address those needs by providing high quality pediatric primary health care to evaluate students, as well as their siblings up to age 22.

Alicia Herrera, front desk supervisor for Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ two School Based Health Centers, said seeing her organization’s mission: “Serving Humanity to Honor God” in action by providing healthcare to the least served in these communities, has been incredibly rewarding.

“I’ve been working in the school based health centers for 17 years and I love it. To see children and their siblings get the care they need, when they need it, has been wonderful,” said Herrera.

She said students visit the School Based Health Centers during school hours, which are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The two School Based Health Centers are conveniently located on the campuses of Schertz Elementary School (757 Curtiss Avenue), and Krueger Elementary School (217 West Otto Street). Services are available to children from across the two school districts and open year-round.

“We see kids of all ages — newborn to 22 — from the schools in the area. These children do not have access to healthcare and are in need of seeing a medical professional,” said Herrera. “We are here for them and always happy to get these kids to feeling better so they can get back to learning in the classroom. The families know us and trust us.”

She said the two Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ School Based Health Centers provide the following programs and services:

Diagnosis and treatment of simple illness or injury
Immunizations
Well-child exams
Physical exams
Sports physicals
Health promotion and education
Prescription assistance
Primary dental care, including exams, x-rays, cleanings, fluoride treatments and sealants
Dental treatment, including fillings, extractions and endontic treatment available
Sports mouth guards (in school colors)
Individual and family counseling, as well as case management services
Assistance with Medicaid, CHIP and SNAP application
Referrals to healthcare providers, specialists and other community resources

Herrera said clinical services provided to children at Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ two School Based Health Centers are charged on a sliding fee scale, based on annual household income. The School Based Health Centers do not offer urgent care services and insured patients must file claims on their own.

To learn more about the services offered at Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ School Based Health Centers, contact the Schertz center at 210-658-4875, or the Marion center at 830-420-2291, or visit online at mhm.org.

Is it a cold, allergies or flu?

DW Admin on February 25, 2019

Sneezing, coughing, congestion, itchy eyes, runny nose and feeling achy? So, could it be a cold, allergies or the flu? That is the question often asked by patients seeking relief.

Dr. Edward Dick, senior vice president of integrated health services at Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., said it may be hard to determine initially if it’s a cold or flu. “Generally, flu is much more severe in symptoms with a higher fever. There are tests available in the healthcare provider’s office or lab that can detect flu, but these are not perfectly sensitive or specific.”

He said when prescribing antiviral medications to patients, it’s usually based on test results, the severity and types of symptoms and whether the patient visits their doctor within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. “In any given year, the types of flu circulating, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations may vary so patients would do well to check the CDC’s website and discuss their options with their doctor.”

Dr. Dick explained how some patients with severe allergies, like cedar fever, may feel like they have the flu because of chills. However, allergies alone shouldn’t cause a fever. “Presence of a fever or worsening symptoms is a good reason to see your doctor. Chronic or repeat infections would also warrant a visit to the doctor’s office.”

Many suffer from cedar fever during this time of the year and while some people can recognize the symptoms, not everyone suffers from allergies, which can make it confusing to distinguish between allergies, a cold or the flu.

The following are tips to help you better identify symptoms and when it’s time to see your doctor, according to the CDC:

ALLERGIES: If your body mistakes dust or pollen for germs and attacks as an immune response — as if fighting viruses or other pathogens — that’s when you will begin to experience allergy symptoms. What happens is your body releases substances such as histamine, resulting in inflammation and causing a runny nose, watery eyes, coughing, fatigue and sneezing. Allergies aren’t contagious like colds and the flu, but, usually, last longer and cause people to feel miserable. Allergies can be a risk factor for developing a sinus infection.

COLDS: Catching a cold can be serious in young children or patients with compromised immune systems but is less severe among most folks. Colds and flu are both respiratory illnesses but caused by different viruses. A cold is caused by several respiratory viruses like rhinovirus, enterovirus, adenovirus, parainfluenza, and others. These viruses rarely lead to serious complications and recovery is a lot quicker, unlike the flu. Cold symptoms vary and often include a runny nose, congestion, sore throat, coughing and sneezing. A fever is less common among symptoms. Taking over-the-counter medications can help make you feel better sooner.

FLU: It is also known as influenza and is the most serious of cold-weather respiratory viruses that circulate during this season. Flu symptoms include fever, severe fatigue, headache, dry cough, chills, chest pain, body aches, and a sore throat. The flu kills thousands in the U.S. annually, resulting in hundreds of thousands admitted to the hospital, as well as infecting millions. The hardest hit by the virus are young children, seniors, pregnant women, and those with chronic illnesses. If you’re experiencing difficulty breathing, chest or stomach pain, dizziness, confusion, or severe and persistent vomiting, you should seek medical attention soon after these symptoms start.

Dr. Dick said you can protect yourself and others by washing your hands often and using hand sanitizer; covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing into your sleeve or tissue; and avoiding contact with others infected with the virus will help reduce your chances of getting the flu, which is contagious. And, most importantly, get your annual flu shot.

Also, if you are sick with the flu, it’s best to stay home and away from crowds, family members, coworkers and those at high risk of flu complications.

Dr. Dick said if you’re currently sick with a cold, flu, or allergies, get plenty of rest so you can begin to feel better soon.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries is dedicated to creating access to healthcare for the uninsured through direct services, community partnerships and strategic grant-making in 74 counties across South Texas. Guided by its mission of "Serving Humanity to Honor God," the organization’s vision is to be the leader for improving wellness of the least served. The mission also includes Methodist Healthcare Ministries' one-half ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System, the largest healthcare system in South Texas, which creates a unique avenue to ensure that it continues to be a benefit to the community by providing quality care to all and charitable care when needed. For more information, visit www.mhm.org.

Legislative Update, February 22

DW Admin on February 22, 2019

Legislative Updates

San Antonio Health Care Stakeholders Advocate for San Antonio State Hospital Funding
Methodist Healthcare Ministries Testifies in House Appropriations Hearings
Methodist Healthcare Ministries Supports Children’s Mental Health Legislation
Houston Lawmaker Files Bill on Adolescent Behavioral Health Research
State Officials Confirm Measles Outbreak in Texas

Advocacy

Bill Tracking

Research

2018 State of Texas Children: The Road to a Brighter Future

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Legislative Updates

San Antonio Health Care Stakeholders Advocate for San Antonio State Hospital Funding

San Antonio State Hospital Stakeholders with Senator Pete Flores (R-Pleasanton) at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas

Methodist Healthcare Ministries led efforts this week at the state Capitol to promote reconstruction funding for the San Antonio State Hospital (SASH), estimated to cost $323 million. Jaime Wesolowski, CEO, and Tony LoBasso, CFO, of Methodist Healthcare Ministries joined University Health System, Clarity Child Guidance Center, The Center for Health Care Services, NAMI San Antonio, Haven for Hope and the Bexar County Mental Health Department in a discussion with Senator Pete Flores (R-Pleasanton), who sits on the powerful Senate Finance Committee, to discuss the significance of the new hospital and its value for the thousands of South Texas residents who suffer from severe mental illness. The Senate has currently allocated $300 million for state hospital construction in their supplemental budget bill.

During the 85^thInterim, the SASH Executive Stakeholder Committee worked tirelessly to look at the physical replacement of SASH and examine how care would be integrated into the community through enhanced mental health crisis/response services. The Committee collaborated with eight Local Mental Health Authorities throughout SASH’s 54-county catchment area to understand the appropriate roles and functions of a redesigned SASH, current pathways to SASH and barriers to access for both adults and adolescents. The final report of findings was submitted to HHSC in January 2019, where it was reviewed by the agency staff for final submission to the 86^thLegislature.

Full reconstruction funds for the San Antonio State Hospital is a legislative priority for Methodist Healthcare Ministries and members of the SASH Executive Committee. During the 86^thLegislative Session, Methodist Healthcare Ministries will work with state leaders and stakeholders to ensure funding for SASH is appropriated, along with transition services and increased funding for staff recruitment and retention efforts.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries Testifies in House Appropriations Hearings

Methodist Healthcare Ministries testified to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Article II on budget issues related to access to health coverage, behavioral health funding and women and children’s health. Chris Yanas, MHM’s Director of Governmental Affairs, stressed the importance of funding the reconstruction of the San Antonio State Hospital, along with salary increases for competitive recruitment and retention of hospital personnel, to operate a state-of-the-art facility that will enhance the recovery of thousands of South Texans in SASH’s 54-county service area. Testimony also included support to sustain the state’s mental health grant programs and increasing services for behavioral health and substance use disorders.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries, along with several other advocates, urged legislators to provide adequate resources for continuity of care for all Texans, including funding for 12-month continuous eligibility for children in the Medicaid program and the extension of postpartum women in the Medicaid program from 60 days to 12 months postpartum. Recommendations also included increased funding for women’s health programs to promote auto-enrollment from children aging out of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) into the Healthy Texas Women program. Methodist Healthcare Ministries will continue to submit written and oral testimony during the session on priority issues impacting the health and wellness of its 74-county service area, especially rural communities.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries Supports Children’s Mental Health Legislation

Last week, Methodist Healthcare Ministries submitted testimony in support of Senate Bill 10 by Senator Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound), relating to the creation of the Texas Mental Health Consortium within the Texas Higher Educating Coordinating Board. With one in five Texans estimated to be impacted by a mental illness, meeting the health care needs of the population requires a coordinated system that is effective and appropriate. The development of the consortium would promote state mental health initiatives and coordinate research efforts at 12 health-related academic centers of higher education across the state.

Senate Bill 10 would also direct the consortium to create a Child Psychiatry Access Program (CPAP) to enable pediatricians and primary care providers to consult with psychiatrists at Texas medical schools for guidance and expertise. The bill would look to reduce the psychiatry workforce shortage through the Behavioral Health Workforce Expansion Project, increase psychiatric residency training and promote the use of telemedicine to expand access to mental health services. Lastly, the bill would provide judicial instruction on mental health resources, which is critical at reducing the number of youths with a mental illness from entering the criminal justice system. Senate Bill 10 was voted out of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and placed on the Senate Intent Calendar for Monday, Feb. 25.

With about 1.9 million youths in Texas in need of behavioral health services by the age of 14, access to early treatment is imperative. Methodist Healthcare Ministries supports the passage of Senate Bill 10, aimed at leveraging the expertise of health-related universities to improve the quality and availability of mental health services, improving access to early identification and access to treatment, addressing the psychiatry workforce shortage and strengthening judicial training on mental health.

Houston Lawmaker Files Bill on Adolescent Behavioral Health Research

Texas House Public Health Committee Chairwoman Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) filed House Bill 10 to create the Texas Mental and Behavioral Health Research Institute to be funded with voter approved bonds. HB 10 increases the number of child and adolescent psychiatrists and specialized nurses across the state, creates a telemedicine program to rapidly connect pediatricians and school health providers with trained mental health providers and creates the Texas Mental and Behavioral Health Research Institute that will focus on research to develop cures and treatments.

With more than 200 counties in Texas without a single child and adolescent psychiatrist, the legislation will create grants to incentivize newly graduated doctors and advanced practice nurses to specialize in the field. Additionally, the bill would establish a Child Psychiatric Access Line (CPAL) for mental and behavioral health care services through academic partnerships and peer-to-peer consultations. HB 10 will place Texas on the leading edge in discovering mental and behavioral health treatments through programs that research all aspects of mental health, from the brain’s structure to public health trends and medical interventions. The bill was referred to the House Public Health Committee Feb. 19 where it awaits a hearing.

Methodist Healthcare Ministries strongly supports HB 10, which will guide Texas to be a leader in addressing child and adolescent mental health issues through research, workforce development and mental health care targeted at our youth.

State Officials Confirm Measles Outbreak in Texas

The Texas Department of State Health Services reported eight cases of measles across Texas counties, including Bell, Denton, Harris, Galveston and Montgomery. U.S. health officials declared the disease was eradicated in 2000 due to the development of the measles vaccine; however recent declines in vaccination rates have put Texas communities at risk. The highly contagious disease can result in brain damage, deafness and even death, urging health authorities to promote vaccination as the most effective method to prevent the illness.

The Public Health Dynamics Laboratory created a modeling system to demonstrate the outcome if a single student with measles attends school in a given county or metropolitan area. If the measles vaccination rate fell by 10 percent, in a worst-case scenario, the number of infections could potentially increase to 12,230 cases in San Antonio, 9,103 cases in McAllen, 6, 676 cases in Laredo, 1,498 cases in Victoriaand 3,673 cases in Corpus Christi. Supporting policies and legislation that protect all Texans from vaccine-preventable diseases is a top legislative priority for Methodist Healthcare Ministries.

Upcoming Meetings & Events

Feb. 25:HHSC: State Medicaid Managed Care Advisory Committee (Austin)

Feb. 28: HHSC: Texas Statewide Health Coordinating Council (Austin)

Mar 1: HHSC: E-Health Advisory Committee (Austin)

Mar 1:San Antonio Substance Use Symposium (San Antonio)

Mar 4: Let the People Vote! Texas Rally for Medicaid Expansion (Austin)

Mar 5: Viva San Antonio Legislative Day at the Capitol (Austin)

Mar 6: Recovery Day at the Capitol (Austin)

Mar 6: Texans Care for Children’s 13^thAnnual Founders Luncheon (Austin)

Mar 30: SASH Spring Thing 5K (San Antonio)