Texas House Bill HB1103

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the composition of the statewide health coordinating council.

Impact

The bill is expected to have a positive impact on how health policies are crafted and coordinated across Texas by ensuring that members of the council include professionals from various relevant fields, such as medical, mental health, and nursing. The inclusion of educators from health-related institutions underscores the importance of a well-trained workforce and can facilitate better alignment between health education and industry needs, likely leading to improved healthcare services for the population.

Summary

House Bill 1103 focuses on updating the composition of the Statewide Health Coordinating Council in Texas. The bill seeks to amend Section 104.011(a) of the Health and Safety Code, which governs the membership structure of the council. This modification arises from the need to reflect the current health landscape and to ensure that the council benefits from a diverse set of perspectives. Significant changes include the replacement of a position previously held by the commissioner of aging and disability services with a representative from the Texas Education Agency, thus integrating educational expertise into the council's discussions and decisions.

Contention

While the bill primarily aims to improve the representation on the Health Coordinating Council, it may face scrutiny regarding the removal of the aging and disability services representative. Critics could argue that this change might diminish the council's effectiveness in addressing health issues specific to elderly and disabled populations. Some stakeholders may express concerns that the new structure may not adequately represent the interests of these vulnerable groups, thus potentially impacting health services designed for them.