UNDER THE ROTUNDA
Doctor-senators earn key committee posts: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick made Senate committee appointments Friday. TMA physicians earned important assignments on Senate committees. State Sen. Charles Schwertner, MD (R-Georgetown), was appointed chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and member of Senate Administration, Senate Business and Commerce, Senate Finance, and Senate State Affairs. Sen. Donna Campbell, MD (R-New Braunfels), also was appointed to Senate Health and Human Services, Senate Education, Senate Administration, and Senate Intergovernmental Relations.
Two Senate committees that touch many of the bills affecting TMA’s legislative agenda are Finance, and Health and Human Services. Senate Finance is responsible for negotiating components of the 2016-17 budget bill, while Senate Health and Human Services affects the strength of Texas’ public health programs, services, and basic infrastructure.
Senate Health and Human Services members: Senator Schwertner, chair, and Sens. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham), vice chair; Donna Campbell; Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls); Charles Perry (R-Lubbock); José Rodríguez (D-El Paso); Van Taylor (R-Plano); Carlos Uresti (D-San Antonio); and Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo).
Senate Finance members: Sens. Jane Nelson, (R-Flower Mound), chair; Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen), vice chair; Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston); Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler); Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills); Joan Huffman (R-Houston); Lois Kolkhorst; Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville); Charles Schwertner; Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo); Van Taylor; Carlos Uresti; Kirk Watson (D-Austin); Royce West (D-Houston); and John Whitmore (D-Houston).
Check out the complete list of Senate committees. See what committees your senator sits on, and help make sure he or she understands medicine’s legislative roadmap, TMA’s Healthy Vision 2020.
Texas House chairs and committee assignments are expected later this week. Stay tuned.
TMA IN ACTION
The Texas Public Health Coalition, which TMA founded in 2006, works to reduce preventable disease through policies that promote a safe and healthy environment for and healthy behaviors by all Texans. Here are a few of its proposed priorities for the 2015 legislative session:
- Tobacco: Support adequate funding for comprehensive, statewide tobacco control and for regulation of e-cigarettes as tobacco products, including prevention of youth access.
- Cancer: Support state funding for the Breast and Cervical Cancer Services program and the Texas Cancer Registry, and funding of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas while ensuring transparency.
- Immunizations: Improve access to information on immunization exemptions and provide information on the incidence of disease.
- Obesity: Preserve and support expansion of chronic disease prevention funding and support evidence-based policies that address healthy environments and obesity as they relate to physical activity and access to affordable, healthy foods.
To learn more, visit www.texmed.org/publichealthcoalition.
TAKE ACTION
Register today and reserve your spot for First Tuesdays at the Capitol, Feb. 3. Join your colleagues at the state Capitol to meet with your state lawmakers. The “White Coat Invasion” has been important to TMA’s success in the Texas Legislature. Our influence is greater when physicians and alliance members arrive en masse in the House and Senate galleries. Save your spot today.
PHYSICIAN OF THE DAY
The physician of the day at the Capitol is Justin Bartos, MD, of Bedford. Dr. Bartos graduated from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. He is a member of TMA and the Tarrant County Medical Society.
WHAT WE ARE READING
Lt. Gov. Patrick announces Senate committees; only 2 of 14 chaired by Democrats ― The Dallas Morning News
HHSC Ditching Anti-Fraud Initiative Started by Stick ― The Texas Tribune
Rick Perry, looking forward, still has one foot in a Texas courtroom ― Houston Chronicle
Healthcare divided over net neutrality debate ― Politico
More doctors turning away Medicare patients ― KHOU
