Expressing support or opposition for legislation is a key component of THA’s advocacy. Listen to THA’s testimony to get the topline messages on the issues impacting Texas hospitals.
University Health San Antonio Testified On Behalf of THA in Support of HB 1980
(3/20/23)
University Health San Antonio’s Dr. Anna Taranova testified in support of HB 1980 in House Committee on Public Health on March 20. Dr. Taranova testified in support of Texas’ hospital-at-home program and the benefits of the program on patient health, patient accessibility, and hospitals.
THA Testified In Opposition To HB 1998 in House Committee on Public Health
(3/20/23)
THA Attorney Steve Wohleb testified on March 20 against HB 1998 in House Committee on Public Health. THA opposed the language of HB 1998 reporting requirements which are currently too broad and require reporting of includes minor infractions.
THA Stood Neutral HB 81 in House Committee on Public Health
(3/20/23)
THA Attorney Cesar Lopez testified neutrality to HB 81 on March 20 in the House Committee on Public Health. THA has been working with the bill’s authors to determine hospitals’ unique position in response to COVID mandates and supports hospitals’ choice on COVID vaccination mandates.
THA Testified in Opposition to HB 44 in House Committee on Public Health
(3/20/23)
THA testified in opposition to HB 44 on March 20 in House Committee on Public Health. THA supports new language in the bill that would make exceptions for vaccine mandates in hospitals for oncology or transplant care.
THA Testified in Opposition to HB 1001 in House Select Committee on Health Care Reform
(3/16/23)
Assistant General Counsel Heather De La Garza, J.D. testified in opposition to House Bill 1001 before House Select Committee on Health Care Reform on March 16. THA spoke out about the language of HB 1001 which would erode quality coverage and deregulate insurance.
THA Testified Against SB 1197 Before Senate Committee on Health and Human Services
(3/15/23)
General Counsel Steve Wohleb, J.D. testified on March 15 against Senate Bill 1197. THA spoke in support of hospitals’ ability to report abuse and opposes the bill’s unnecessary burdens on top of a lack of infrastructure to support the requirements.
THA Testified in Support of SB 240 and Workforce Safety
(3/15/23)
Assistant General Counsel Heather De La Garza, J.D. testified on March 15 in support of Senate Bill 240. THA stood in support of SB 240 proposed hospital requirements for training, preparation, open reporting, and committee formation which would insure health care workers are prepared for workplace violence.
THA Testified in Support of Rural Hospital on House Committee on County Affairs
(3/8/2023)
THA’s CEO John Hawkins appears on March 8 before the House Committee on County Affairs in support issues important to rural health and rural hospitals. THA spoke in support of behavioral health, Medicare and Medicaid funding, and workforce funding to decrease the financial strain on rural hospitals.
THA Testified In Support of HB 112 Before The House Committee on Public Health
(3/6/2023)
THA’s Assistant General Counsel Heather De La Garza, J.D. testified on March 6 in support of House Bill 112 which aims to reduce workforce violence and protect health care workers. THA supports efforts to create plans for workforce violence and ensure hospitals are prepared and safe in the worst-case scenario.
THA Testified In Support of HB 49 Before The House Committee on Public Health
(3/6/2023)
THA’s Associate General Counsel Cesar Lopez, J.D. testified on March 6 in support of House Bill 49 to increase transparency for hospital investigations information. THA wants to ensure that the information is both public and clearly displayed while also respecting patient privacy through exclusion of patient records in investigation publication.
THA Testified Before Texas House Appropriations Committee in Support of Critical Post-COVID-19 Funding
(2/28/23)
SVP of Advocacy and Public Policy at THA, Jennifer Banda, J.D., testified before the Texas House Appropriation Committee on Feb. 28 on Article II in support of HB 1. Banda voiced support for workforce funding, Medicaid add-on, patient services, especially for rural hospitals with increased financial risk. THA supports 12-months post-partum coverage and the IMD exclusion waiver to help mothers, children and those in need of behavioral health care. Additionally, THA supports modernizing and updating hospitals to provide higher capacity and better technology for care.
THA Testified on Article III in House Appropriation Sub-Committee
(2/21/23)
Heather De La Garza, J.D., Assistant General Counsel at THA testifies on Feb. 21 in support of the HB 1 funding to support growing a health care workforce. THA supports the efforts of HB 1 to increase funding and GME capacity for training new medical staff.
THA Testified on Senate Committee on Finance In Support of Rural Hospitals and Coverage Expansion
(2/21/23)
THA’s Senior Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy Jennifer Banda, J.D. testified on Feb. 21 in front of the Texas Senate Committee on Finance in support of budget items proposed in SB 1. In the testimony, THA voiced support for increases for rural hospital add-ons, maternal Medicaid funding, behavioral health coverage and expansion, and expansion of contracted hospital bed capacity.
THA Testified in front of the Senate Committee on Finance in support of TWC programs
(2/14/23)
Heather De La Garza, J.D., Assistant General Counsel at THA testifies before the Senate Committee on Finance on Feb. 14 in support of Texas Workforce Commission programs to enhance workforce training in Texas. THA supports items on SB1 that would fund apprenticeship and skills development funds and requests additional funding for outstanding TWC requests.
THA Testified Before Senate Committee on Finance in Support of SB 1
(2/2/23)
Jennifer Banda, J.D., Senior Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy at THA testified Feb. 7 before the Senate Committee on Finance in support of SB 1, regarding the allocation of state funds for efforts to increase the workforce. The proposed state budget provides significant funds to graduate medical education and increases to health care professional training. Additionally, THA is in support of expanding nursing faculty loan repayment program and fund increases for hospital preceptors to allow for more nurse teaching faculties.