From preparing for and responding to infectious disease outbreaks or natural disasters to supporting smart immunization practices, Texas hospitals play a critical role in protecting and promoting the health, safety and wellbeing of all Texans. The Texas Hospital Association tracks and will educate lawmakers in their effort to:
- Review opportunities to improve population health and health care delivery in rural and urban medically underserved areas. Identify potential opportunities to improve access to care, including the role of telemedicine. In the review, identify the challenges facing rural hospitals and the impact of rural hospital closures. House Committee on Public Health
- Evaluate the process of organ and bone marrow donations. Consider opportunities to improve organ and bone marrow donation awareness in order to increase the number of willing donors. House Committee on Public Health
- Monitor the implementation of gun legislation (House Bill 435, Senate Bill 16) passed by the 85th Legislature. House Committee on Homeland Security & Public Safety
- Review local ordinances imposed on sellers and venues that affect a person’s rights under the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution. Examine state and local regulations and restrictions regarding the carrying of weapons during a natural disaster. Make recommendations on whether any legislation is needed to address the regulatory barriers to the full exercise of the Second Amendment rights of citizens. Monitor the implementation of Senate Bill 16, relating to decreasing the fee for the issuance of a license to carry a handgun, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance and/or complete implementation. Senate State Affairs Committee
- Examine the anti-smuggling efforts of governmental and non-governmental entities related to transportation. Compare the findings to best practices in other states and make recommendations to help advance efforts in the fight against human smuggling. Senate Transportation Committee
- Study opportunities to increase awareness of human trafficking through public awareness campaigns, among local officials and within public school districts including the identification of potential human trafficking and stash houses as well as how and where to report. Examine the Human Trafficking Prevention Business Partnership Program at the Office of the Secretary of State and provide recommendations for increasing participation of Texas businesses in the fight against human trafficking. Senate Criminal Justice Committee
Contacts
Carrie Kroll, vice president of advocacy, quality and public health, 512/465-1043
John Hawkins, senior vice president of advocacy and public policy, 512/465-1505
Cesar Lopez, J.D., associate general counsel, 512/465-1027
Cameron Duncan, III, J.D., assistant general counsel, 512/465-1539