Alert: Join THA’s End of Session Member Call This Thursday, May 25

We’re just days away from the end of the 88th regular session of the Texas Legislature. Once the dust has (almost) settled on session, join THA’s End of Session Call for members this Thursday, May 25, at 10 a.m. CT. for a recap of the session in its waning days, covering outcomes for hospitals, what we can expect from state…

Alert: Medicaid Continuous Coverage Requirement to End March 31

Starting in April, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will begin the process of unwinding continuous Medicaid coverage for patients who had it as a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). Patients hoping they’ll still be eligible for Medicaid going forward need to take action, and hospitals and providers can play a key role in letting…

Health Care Advocate: Jan. 26, 2023

Table of Contents Medicaid, Behavioral Health Budget Plans Include Good News for Hospitals THA’s analysis of the Texas Legislature’s initial 2024-25 budget bills reveals lawmakers are planning to hold the line on safety-net, trauma and rural hospital add-on payments to care for the most vulnerable Texans, and increase their commitment to key pieces of the state’s behavioral health apparatus. Those…

Alert: Budget Bills Would Fund Workforce, Other Top THA Priorities

The starting points for Texas’ budget for the next two years – as filed last week in each chamber of the Texas Legislature – include sizable, Texas Hospital Association-recommended commitments to the state’s health care workforce needs, a better-than-anticipated boost for a key loan repayment program that helps mental health access, and level funding for Medicaid. Contact: Anna Stelter, senior…

Health Care Advocate: Jan. 19, 2023

Table of Contents Budget Bills Bring Hope for Workforce Wins The starting points for Texas’ budget for the next two years – as filed Wednesday in each chamber of the Texas Legislature – include sizable, THA-recommended commitments to the state’s health care workforce needs, with proposals for increased investments in several important workforce-boosting programs. Rep. Greg Bonnen, MD (R-Friendswood) filed…

Health Care Advocate: Jan. 12, 2023

Table of Contents As Session Begins, THA Prudent-Layperson Bill Filed Just before the 88th session of the Texas Legislature gaveled in this week, THA saw one of its priority measures – which would reinforce the existing “prudent layperson” standard for emergency care – filed on the House of Representatives side, setting up another attempt at stopping a pervasive health plan…

Health Care Advocate: Jan. 5, 2023

Table of Contents T-Minus Five Days: Key Bills Already Filed for Session The 2023 session of the Texas Legislature – that 140-day biennial blitz in which THA and its allies make their case for sound state health care policy – begins this Tuesday with the gaveling-in on both the House of Representatives and Senate sides. THA is educating lawmakers about…

Health Care Advocate: Dec. 22, 2022

Table of Contents Lawmakers Urge Action on Rural Emergency Hospital Licensure At THA’s urging, four members of the Texas congressional delegation, led by U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Lubbock), have written to Gov. Greg Abbott asking him to pursue emergency rulemaking to allow for REH licensure for Texas hospitals. Under that new federal designation, financially stressed rural hospitals will have a…

Health Care Advocate: Dec. 8, 2022

Table of Contents THA Hosts Meeting With Governor to Lay Out Hospital Issues This week, THA hosted Gov. Greg Abbott and members of THA’s and HOSPAC’s executive committees at THA’s office in downtown Austin to lay out significant issues facing Texas hospitals heading into the next legislative session, which begins Jan. 10, 2023. The group underscored the importance of the…

Health Care Advocate: Dec. 1, 2022

Table of Contents THA Underscores Hospital Strain Through New Report, Media THA President/CEO John Hawkins briefed national and statewide media this week on an eye-opening new report, commissioned by THA, showing almost half of Texas hospitals are facing negative operating margins for 2022 – and nearly one in 10 are at serious risk of closure. The report goes hand-in-hand with…