The meeting convened to discuss various health-related bills, with significant emphasis placed on addressing substance abuse and the associated healthcare challenges in Texas. Notable discussions revolved around HB5342, which aims to sustain 988 operations to aid individuals in crisis, while HB4454 focuses on updating laws to combat unethical patient brokering within substance use treatment programs. Various witnesses, including healthcare professionals, provided testimony supporting these initiatives, highlighting the impact of substance abuse on public health and the necessity for legislative backing in these areas. The committee heard from several members who articulated the urgency of implementing effective measures to address substance abuse, especially with the rising concerns around opioid-related deaths and treatment accessibility in underserved areas.
Relating to the transition of the nurse aide certification program from the Health and Human Services Commission to the Texas Board of Nursing and the creation of a workgroup on nursing career pathways.
Relating to certain health care transaction fees and payment claims and inclusion of a national provider identifier on a payment claim; providing an administrative penalty.
Relating to manufacturer fees for operation of a real-time electronic logging system to track over-the-counter sales of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or norpseudoephedrine; imposing a fee; authorizing an administrative penalty.
Relating to the licensing and regulation of advanced practice registered nurses and the payment of independent advanced practice registered nurses in certain government employee health plans.
Relating to solicitation of patients and other prohibited marketing practices, the establishment of the task force on patient solicitation, and the prosecution of certain related criminal offenses.
Relating to the licensing and regulation of persons who provide services in relation to the deceased; creating a criminal offense and increasing the punishment for an existing criminal offense; expanding the application of a fee.
Relating to the provision of behavioral health crisis services, including the operation of crisis centers and mobile crisis outreach teams; authorizing a fee.