The Council on Policy Development provides THA members with an arena for the discussion and debate of issues and resolution of policy positions. The COPD plays a key role in developing legislative and regulatory public policy recommendations to address issues of interest or concern. Its 54 voting members are elected by the THA Board of Trustees to three-year terms, and provide broad input from all sectors of the association’s membership. Voting members include:

• 36 hospital/health system executives;
• 3 emerging leaders in hospital administration;
• 3 physicians;
• 3 attorneys;
• 3 chief financial officers;
• 3 chief nursing officers; and
• 3 hospital trustees.

Chairmen of THA constituency councils and policy committees serve as ex-officio COPD members.

Questions?

Contact John Hawkins at 512/465-1505.

The Hospital Physician Executive Constituency Section is a forum for physician executives employed by Texas Hospital Association-member hospitals or hospital systems to:

• Organize and engage the most knowledgeable and dedicated hospital physician executives in patient safety and quality in member hospitals.
• Aid in the development of policies related to medical practice as requested by the Council on Policy Development.
• Discuss current issues and developments that impact the delivery of health care services, including clinical integration, hospital-physician relationships, patient safety and quality improvement.
• Offer their knowledge and expertise in the delivery of health care services to assist THA in the development or presentation of public policy positions and educational programs or communications to THA members.
• Provide educational opportunities and communications to the membership through meetings, educational workshops and publications.
• Develop or promote projects that can affect the safety, quality, cost or transparency of health care services and enlist other medical leaders to promote those projects statewide.
• Provide a collegial opportunity for physicians in executive positions to network and discuss public policy positions or projects that can improve the delivery of health care services and outcomes.

Questions?

Contact Ted Shaw at 512/465-1012

The Behavioral Health Council provides a conduit between THA member psychiatric hospitals and the THA Board of Trustees and Council of Policy Development. The council focuses attention on issues impacting this industry segment, including hosting an annual summer conference for psychiatric and mental health service providers.

Questions?

Contact Sharon J. Beasley at 512/465-1030.

The Rural Hospital Constituency Council serves as the voice of Texas rural hospitals, through which rural hospital members can address issues of specific concern to them. The RHCC is a conduit of information to the Council on Policy Development regarding rural health care issues affecting rural hospital members.

Questions?

Contact Al Goforth at 806/252-7820.

The THA Strategic Communications Constituency Council focuses on developing and implementing proactive strategies to assist THA and its member hospitals in communicating with the media and public on for key hospital/health issues and public policy goals. The council also serves as an important network of hospital contacts with local media outlets across Texas.

Questions?

Contact Lance Lunsford at 512/465-1052.

The Leadership Development Council is designed to give young and emerging hospital leaders an opportunity to network, gain THA leadership experience and grow in their understanding of policy issues. The goal of the LDC is to provide opportunities for mentoring and leadership to ensure the advancement of members to future leadership roles within the industry and association.

Questions?

Contact Sarah Vlcek at 512/465-1018.

Texas Hospitals magazine is published bimonthly for THA members, under the editorial direction of a 15-member editorial board. The board provides input into the magazine’s editorial calendar and content ideas, encourages news contributions by members and guides readership and advertising assessments.

Questions?

Contact Lance Lunsford at 512/465-1052.

The THA Policy Committee on Hospital Contracting and Payment studies public policy issues relating to hospital billing and collections with governmental and private payers and the review and payment of hospital services. The committee makes recommendations on policy positions to the Council on Policy Development and the THA Board of Trustees.

Questions?

Contact Richard Schirmer at 512/465-1056.

The THA Policy Committee on Hospital Reimbursement coordinates with other THA policy committees to study issues related to hospital reimbursement. The committee offers recommendations for action to the Council on Policy Development and the THA Board of Trustees.

Questions?

Contact Richard Schirmer at 512/465-1056.

The THA Policy Committee on Managed Care focuses on managed care issues, and provides recommendations for action to the Council on Policy Development and THA Board of Trustees. The committee consists of 15 members with expertise in hospital pricing and managed care.

Questions?

Contact Richard Schirmer at 512/465-1056.

The QPS Committee was established to advise and provide recommendations regarding public patient safety/quality policy issues to the Council on Policy Development and the THA Board of Trustees. The committee’s charge is to monitor, assess and develop policy recommendations regarding initiatives related to:

• Quality of care, disease management and patient safety;
• Quantifiable standards for clinical quality and outcomes;
• Principles for the collection and reporting of patient safety/quality care data; and
• Hospital data collection and reporting activities.

Questions?

Contact Mitzi Ressmann at 512/465-1512.