MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
Subcommittee on Graduate Medical Education
Thursday, March 16, 2000
10:30 a.m.
Capitol Extension, Room E1.036
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance
Interim Subcommittee on Graduate Medical Education was held on
Thursday, March 16, 2000, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036,
at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Mike Moncrief, Chairman Senator John Carona
Senator Carlos Truan
Senator Jon Lindsay
Senator Royce West
*****
The chair called the meeting to order at 10:35 a.m. There being
a quorum present, the following business was transacted:
The Chair made opening remarks regarding the subcommittee's
charge to examine the Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH)
Program. The Chair explained to members that the purpose of the
hearing was to gain a clear understanding of the issues
surrounding DSH funding. He then recognized other members to
make opening remarks. Senator Truan encouraged groups working
on DSH funding problems to include the medically under served
rural areas in their deliberations to ensure that the problem is
not compounded.
Invited Testimony
The Chair recognized Don Gilbert, Commissioner of the Health and
Human Services Commission, to provide an overview of the
Medicaid DSH Program. Marina Henderson, of the Health and Human
Services Commission, joined Commissioner Gilbert in answering
questions of the committee.
The following witness provided testimony regarding hospital
perspectives on the DSH Program and recent formula proposals:
Mr. Joe Dasilva, representing the Texas Hospital
Association;
The committee recessed at 12:00 p.m. and reconvened at 12:40
p.m.
The chair recognized the following witnesses to resume invited
testimony on the DSH Program and recent formula proposals:
Mr. Jeff Turner, representing the Texas Association of
Public and Nonprofit Hospitals (TAPNH);
Mr. Kevin Reed, representing the Texas Organization of
Rural and Community Hospitals (TORCH);
Mr. Larry Tonn, representing Texas Urban Voluntary
Hospitals and Systems (TUVHS);
Linda Rushing, representing the Texas Conference of
Catholic Health Facilities (CCHF);
Mr. Mark Wallace, representing Children's Hospital
Association of Texas (CHAT).
The Chair told members of the subcommittee that Governor Perry
would be traveling to Washington, D.C. to talk to members of the
Texas delegation and leadership. The Chair will draft a letter
on behalf of the members of the subcommittee outlining the
severity of the DSH problem and the concerns of the
subcommittee. The Chair asked the Health and Human Services
Commission and hospital associations to continue their dialogue
on possible solutions and keep the subcommittee abreast of their
progress. The Chair announced that the next subcommittee
hearing on Graduate Medical Education will take place on
Thursday, April 20, 2000 at 1:00 p.m. At that time, the Chair
would like the DSH working group to report on their progress.
There being no further business, at 2:05 p.m. Senator Moncrief
announced that the Committee would stand recessed subject to the
call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
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Senator Mike Moncrief, Chair
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Patricia Hicks, Clerk