MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH BENEFIT MANDATES (INTERIM)
Monday, March 27, 2000
10:00 a.m.
Capitol Extension, Room E1.012
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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Health
Benefit Mandates (Interim) was held on Monday, March 27, 2000,
in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Jane Nelson, Co-Chair Senator Gonzalo
Barrientos
Representative Pete Gallego, Co-Chair Senator John Carona
Representative Kip Averitt Senator Frank Madla
Representative Patricia Gray Senator Steve Ogden
Representative John Smithee Representative Craig
Eiland
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Representative Gallego, co-chair, called the meeting to order at
10:07 a.m. There being a quorum present, the following business
was transacted.
Senator Nelson, co-chair, made opening remarks.
Representative Gallego, co-chair, called invited panelists to
brief the committee members on the Healthcare Mandates Workgroup
meetings.
The following witnesses provided oral testimony:
Spencer Berthelsen, Texas Medical Association
Clif Mitchell, Texas Association of Insurance Officials
Ed Berger, Seton Healthcare Network
Janet Treadwell, Health Smart Preferred Care, Inc. / Texas
Association of Preferred Provider Organizations
Ron Luke, Texas Association of Business and Chambers of
Commerce
Lisa McGiffert, Consumers Union
Rod Bordelon, Office of Public Insurance Counsel
Gary R. Looney, Texas Association of Health Underwriters
Bill Hickman, Watson Wyatt & Co.
Shelia Beckett, Employee Retirement System
Amy McGee Polasky, Council for Affordable Health Insurance
The following witneses did not provide written or oral
testimony:
Robert Howden, National Federation of Independent Business
/ Texas
Jerry Patterson, Texas Association of Health Plans
Representative Gallego, co-chair, called for the Texas
Department of Insurance to brief the committee on the proposed
mandated benefits study.
The following provided oral testimony:
Dianne Longely, Texas Department of Insurance
Rhonda Myron, Texas Department of Insurance
Representative Averitt moved for the drafting of the Request for
Proposal.
Representative Gray objected and suggested changes to the
proposed mandates listed. A brief discussion followed.
There being no further discussion or objection, the motion
carried.
With no other business to come before the committee and upon
motions by Representative Gray and Senator Nelson,
Representative Gallego adjourned the committee by unanimous
consent at 1:35 p.m., subject to the call of the chair.
______________________
Senator Jane Nelson, Co-Chair
______________________
Cheri Huddleston, Clerk