Legislators rely on public input when crafting legislation, and it is important that they hear from citizens during the interim.  This week, I will discuss the Committee on Public Health, which oversees the practice of medicine, dentistry, mental health services and other allied health services in Texas.  

House Committee on Public Health

·         Monitor and evaluate the full array of wellness initiatives undertaken by the State of Texas to include the newly adopted state employee wellness and prevention legislation and a pilot program to encourage healthy lifestyles.  Develop strategies for maximizing potential health benefits and optimizing the return on the state's investments in wellness. Include a review of other state and private sector programs for employee wellness that result in prevention cost savings.

·         Research issues relating to the Indigent Health Care and Treatment Act and related local health care initiatives, and make recommendations to address any imbalance between counties for the provision of health care.

·         Review issues related to federal changes for tamper-resistant prescription pad requirements, and monitor the activity of the Texas Department of Public Safety Controlled Substances Advisory Committee.

·         Examine issues related to organ donation.

·         Examine the status of asthma in Texas, and make recommendations to prevent asthma and to assist children and adults with asthma to more effectively manage their disease. Develop strategies for decreasing the direct medical and indirect related costs associated with asthma.

·         Examine activities at the Texas Medical Board as they relate to the protection of public health and the practice of medicine. The committees should consider any findings by the Texas Sunset Commission. (Joint Interim  charge with the House Committee on Appropriations)

·         Examine the State of Texas' preparedness level to handle a public health emergency. (Joint Interim Charge with the House Committee on Defense Affairs and State-Federal Relations)

·         Review the effectiveness of the Driver Responsibility Program, and provide recommendations for increasing the collection rate of assessed penalties. Provide recommendations for amnesty and incentive programs. Examine the status of Texas' current statewide trauma system infrastructure and how the system may be optimized to meet future trauma care needs in a rapidly growing state with overburdened emergency rooms. (Joint Interim Charge with the House Committee on Transportation)

·         Study the state's current and long-range need for physicians, dentists, nurses and other allied health and long-term care professionals. Make recommendations regarding strategies related to geographic distribution and barriers to recruitment of high-need professions, especially for primary care providers and long-term care professionals. (Joint Interim Charge with the House Committees on Border and International Affairs and Appropriations)

·         Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction: the Department of State Health Services; the Anatomical Board of the State of Texas, the Texas Funeral Service Commission; the Texas Optometry Board; the Texas State Board of Pharmacy; the Board of Nurse Examiners; the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners; the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners; the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners; the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists; the State Board of Dental Examiners; the Texas Medical Board.

The Committee on Public Health can be reached at 512-463-0806.  For more information on these charges or any other matter of state government, please contact my office by writing to P.O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768-2910 or by emailing me at larry.phillips@house.state.tx.us.    My district office phone number is (903) 891-7297.