State Advocacy

512/465-1000
info@tha.org

The Texas Hospital Association’s advocacy on behalf of Texas hospitals and patients is year-round. In advance of the 2021 legislative session, THA is working with lawmakers and regulatory agencies on issues that help hospitals provide the highest quality care.

Stay up-to-date on legislative, policy and regulatory issues affecting your patients and community as well as the entire Texas hospital industry. Soon, THA will offer opportunities to educate member hospitals about upcoming issues for the 87th Texas Legislature. Check back for details!

Contacts:

John Hawkins, senior vice president of government relations, 512/465-1505
Jennifer Banda, J.D., vice president of advocacy & public policy, 512/465-1046
Carrie Kroll, vice president of advocacy, quality & public health, 512/465-1043
Sara Gonzalez, vice president of advocacy & public policy, 512/465-1596

Texas Hospitals’ Policy Priorities

From increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates to reducing the number of uninsured Texans, Texas hospitals have a number of core policy priorities for 2021.

2020 Interim Work

Connecting with and educating state officials in the interim—the time between a legislative session and the next—helps lay the groundwork for upcoming legislative issues and priorities and ensures laws are implemented appropriately.

Digital Resources

Engaging your patients and staff is critical to achieving your political, policy and public health goals. Use THA’s resources, available in English and Spanish, to encourage your key constituencies to:

Get Their Flu Shot
Practice COVID-19 Prevention Measures

Issue Specific Information

Learn more about specific hospital issues below.

COVID-19
Hospital Finance
Medicare/Medicaid
Surprise Billing
Behavioral Health
Medicaid 1115 Waiver

Get the News

Read THA's weekly Health Care Advocate to stay up-to-date on all the latest legislative, regulatory and policy news impacting Texas hospitals. Not receiving the weekly newsletter? Contact Aisha Ainsworth.

Stay Engaged

Follow THA on social media and download the THA Legislative App to get whitepapers as soon as they're released and hear the latest news on Texas hospitals' work and quality initiatives.

Download the App Follow on Twitter Follow on Facebook

2020 Interim Work

From studying selected topics to preparing for the next biennial budget, the interim is an important planning period for state lawmakers and regulatory bodies. And THA stays connected and engages them each step of the way, including:

Suggesting certain “interim charges” or topics for lawmakers study prior to the 2021 legislative session.
Recommending health care funding items for the state health agency to prioritize in its request for the 2021-2022 state budget.
Urging protection of critical hospital payments amid a call to cut state agency spending by 5% for 2020-2021.
Responding to interim charges related to surprise billing, health care coverage options, health care costs, hospital financing, vaccines, behavioral health capacity, controlled substances/telemedicine as well as prior authorizations and utilization review.

Read the full list interim charges for the Texas House and Texas Senate.

Past Legislative Sessions

Review highlights of recent state legislative sessions and the then-new laws that affect Texas hospitals.

Learn more here

HOSPAC

HOSPAC works hand-in-hand with the Texas Hospital Association and its member hospitals to build vital relationships with lawmakers.

Learn more here

Resources for Hosting a Legislative Visit

This toolkit includes tips and talking points for hosting a successful legislative visit at your hospital.

State Advocacy

Contacts:

Texas Hospitals’ Policy Priorities

2020 Interim Work

Digital Resources

Issue Specific Information

Get the News

Stay Engaged

2020 Interim Work

Key Lawmakers

Gov. Greg Abbott (R)

Speaker of the House Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont)

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R)

Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake)

Chair, House Committee on Appropriations

Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound)

Chair, Senate Committee on Finance

Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston)

Chair, House Committee on Public Health

Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham)

Chair, Senate Committee on Health and Human Services

Rep. Four Price (R-Amarillo)

Chair, House Committee on Calendars

Sen. Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills)

Chair, Senate Business & Commerce Committee

Rep. James Frank (R-Wichita Falls)

Chair, House Committee on Human Services

Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston)

Chair, Senate Committee on Local Government

Rep. Garnet Coleman (D-Houston)

Chair, House Committee on County Affairs

Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola)

Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs

Rep. Eddie Lucio, III (D-Brownsville)

Chair, House Committee on Insurance

Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock)

Chair, House Committee on Ways and Means

2018 Interim Charges

Refresher from 85th Legislature

Resources to Comply With 2019 New Health Care Laws

2019 Legislative Outcomes

Speaker of the House Dade Phelan
(R-Beaumont)

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick
(R)

Rep. Giovanni Capriglione
(R-Southlake)

Sen. Jane Nelson
(R-Flower Mound)

Rep. Senfronia Thompson
(D-Houston)

Sen. Lois Kolkhorst
(R-Brenham)

Rep. Four Price
(R-Amarillo)

Sen. Kelly Hancock
(R-North Richland Hills)

Rep. James Frank
(R-Wichita Falls)

Sen. Paul Bettencourt
(R-Houston)

Rep. Garnet Coleman
(D-Houston)

Sen. Bryan Hughes
(R-Mineola)

Rep. Eddie Lucio, III
(D-Brownsville)

Rep. Dustin Burrows
(R-Lubbock)