Health and Human Services Commission Executive Council Agenda

February 20, 2025 - 10:00 am

Texas Health and Human Services Commission, John H. Winters Building, Public Hearing Room 125, First Floor
701 West 51st Street, Austin, Texas
78751
United States

Webcasting Available

This meeting will be webcast. Members of the public may attend the meeting in person at the address above or access a live stream of the meeting at https://texashhsmeetings.org/HHSWebcast. Select the tab for the Winters Live on the date and time for this meeting. Please e-mail Webcasting@hhsc.state.tx.us if you have any problems with the webcasting function.

This meeting will also be conducted via videoconference call in accordance with the requirements of Section 551.127, Government Code. The member of the Council presiding over the meeting will be physically present at the location specified above.

Meeting Notice: The use of artificial intelligence (AI) bots is prohibited in this meeting.

In accordance with HHS policy, the use of Artificial Intelligence also known as “AI” Notetakers is expressly prohibited. Producers will not admit a ‘bot’ or other autonomous agent into the meeting. If a ‘bot’ should inadvertently gain entrance, it will be removed from the meeting by one of our producers.

Attendees who would like to provide public comment should see the Public Comment section below.

All attachments below are PDF unless otherwise noted.

  1. Welcome and opening remarks
    1. Call to order
    2. Roll call
    3. Explanation of proceedings using Microsoft Teams meeting
    4. Executive commissioner’s welcome and remarks
    5. Chief officers’ remarks
    6. Department of State Health Services commissioner’s remarks
    7. Department of Family and Protective Services commissioner’s remarks
    8. Inspector general’s quarterly report
  2. Agency updates
    1. Information Technology update
  3. Rule proposals*
    1. Administrative Procedures Act (APA) public comment period has closed†
      None
    2. Submitted to the Texas Register – APA public comment period has not closed‡
      1. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) proposes a new rule in TAC, Title 1, Part 15, Chapter 355, Reimbursement Rates, Subchapter J, §355.8301, concerning Nurse Residency Program
      2. HHSC proposes amendments to rules in TAC, Title 1, Part 15, Chapter 355, Reimbursement Rates, Subchapters E and F, concerning Electronic Visit Verification and Employment Readiness Services
      3. HHSC proposes amendments to rules in TAC, Title 1, Part 15, Chapter 355, Reimbursement Rates, Subchapter J, Divisions 5 and 23, §355.8085 and §355.8441, concerning General Physician and Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Update
      4. HHSC proposes an amendment to a rule in TAC, Title 1, Part 15, Chapter 353, Medicaid Managed Care, Subchapter P, §353.1415, concerning Credentialing for Qualified Mental Health Professional-Community Services (MS Word)
      5. HHSC proposes amendments to rules and a new rule in TAC, Title 26, Part 1, Chapter 745, Licensing, Subchapter M, Division 1 and 2, concerning Administrative Review Process Amendments
      6. The Department of State Health Services proposes an amendment to a rule, and the repeal of a rule in TAC, Title 25, Part 1, Chapter 289, Radiation Control, §289.230 and §289.234, concerning Radiation Safety Requirements for Mammography Machines
      7. HHSC proposes the repeal of TAC, Title 25, Part 1, Chapter 27, Case Management for Children and Pregnant Women, and new rules in TAC, Title 26, Part 1, Chapter 257, Case Management for Children and Pregnant Women, concerning Case Management for Children and Pregnant Women (MS Word)
      8. HHSC proposes amendments to rules and a new rule in TAC, Title 26, Part 1, Chapter 357, Independent Living Services, concerning Independent Living Service (MS Word)
    3. Not yet submitted to the Texas Register for APA public comment
      None
  4. Advisory committee recommendations*§
    1. Behavioral Health Advisory Committee
    2. eHealth Advisory Committee
    3. Intellectual and Developmental Disability System Redesign Advisory Committee
    4. Joint Committee on Access and Forensic Services
    5. Policy Council for Children and Families
    6. Texas Brain Injury Advisory Council
  5. Recent Rule Adoptions - Information item not for discussion
    1. Adoptions submitted to the Texas Register that are not yet effective
      1. Vocational Rehabilitation Program Repeal, Publishes: 2/21/25, Effective: 2/23/25
      2. Teledentistry Dental Services, Publishes: 2/21/25, Effective: 3/3/25
      3. Jail-Based Competency Restoration, Publishes: 2/21/25, Effective: 2/23/25
      4. Behavioral Health Services--Telecommunications and Admission, Continuity, and Discharge, Publishes: 2/21/25, Effective: 2/23/25
      5. Animal Share and Labeling of Cell-Cultured Food Products, Publishes: 2/21/25, Effective: 2/25/25
      6. DSHS Statute Citation Updates, Publishes: 2/21/25, Effective: 4/1/25
      7. Title 1 Statute Citation Updates, Published: 2/14/25, Effective: 4/1/25
      8. Title 1 Statute Citation Updates, Publishes: 2/21/25, Effective: 4/1/25
      9. Texas Incentives for Physicians and Professional Services, Publishes: 2/21/25, Effective: 2/27/25
      10. Medicaid Home Telemonitoring Services, Publishes: 2/21/25, Effective: 2/27/25
      11. Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities Program Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation Requirements, Publishes: 2/21/25, Effective: 2/27/25
    2. Adoptions that are effective
      1. Substance Misuse Educational Program, Effective: 11/28/24
        https://www.sos.texas.gov/texreg/archive/November292024/Adopted%20Rules/26.HEALTH%20AND%20HUMAN%20SERVICES.html#117
      2. Participation in Disease Management Programs in Texas Medicaid, Effective: 11/28/24
        https://www.sos.texas.gov/texreg/archive/November292024/Adopted%20Rules/1.ADMINISTRATION.html#90
      3. Medicaid Coverage and Reimbursement for Non-Opioid Treatments, Effective: 11/28/24
        https://www.sos.texas.gov/texreg/archive/November292024/Adopted%20Rules/1.ADMINISTRATION.html#92
      4. Registration and Radiation Safety Requirements for Lasers and Intense-Pulsed Light Devices, Effective: 12/17/24
        https://www.sos.texas.gov/texreg/archive/December132024/Adopted%20Rules/25.HEALTH%20SERVICES.html#17
      5. Office of Inspector General Inspections Procedures, Effective: 12/26/24
        https://www.sos.texas.gov/texreg/archive/December202024/Adopted%20Rules/1.ADMINISTRATION.html#132
      6. Sexual Assault Response Training and Prohibited Discharge, Effective: 12/31/24
        https://www.sos.texas.gov/texreg/archive/December272024/Adopted%20Rules/25.HEALTH%20SERVICES.html#91
      7. Home and Community-based Services Prevocational Services, Effective: 1/1/25
        https://www.sos.texas.gov/texreg/archive/December202024/Adopted%20Rules/26.HEALTH%20AND%20HUMAN%20SERVICES.html#156
      8. Texas Home Living Prevocational Services, Effective: 1/1/25
        https://www.sos.texas.gov/texreg/archive/December202024/Adopted%20Rules/26.HEALTH%20AND%20HUMAN%20SERVICES.html#149
      9. Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities Prevocational Services, Effective: 1/1/25
        https://www.sos.texas.gov/texreg/archive/December202024/Adopted%20Rules/26.HEALTH%20AND%20HUMAN%20SERVICES.html#139
      10. Psychiatric Hospital Admission Restrictions and Medication Monitoring, Effective 1/6/25
        https://www.sos.texas.gov/texreg/archive/January32025/Adopted%20Rules/26.HEALTH%20AND%20HUMAN%20SERVICES.html#96
      11. Vendor Drug Program, Effective 1/30/25
        https://www.sos.texas.gov/texreg/archive/January242025/Adopted%20Rules/1.ADMINISTRATION.html#54
      12. Clearinghouse for Primary Care Providers, Effective 2/6/25
        https://www.sos.texas.gov/texreg/archive/January312025/Adopted%20Rules/26.HEALTH%20AND%20HUMAN%20SERVICES.html#77
      13. Administrator’s Licensing Update, Effective 2/12/25
        https://www.sos.texas.gov/texreg/archive/January312025/Adopted%20Rules/26.HEALTH%20AND%20HUMAN%20SERVICES.html#80
      14. Dialysis Transport, Effective 2/10/25
        https://www.sos.texas.gov/texreg/archive/February72025/Adopted%20Rules/25.HEALTH%20SERVICES.html#82
      15. Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee, Effective 2/10/25
        https://www.sos.texas.gov/texreg/archive/February72025/Adopted%20Rules/25.HEALTH%20SERVICES.html#80
      16. Medical Advisory Board, Effective 2/10/25
        https://www.sos.texas.gov/texreg/archive/February72025/Adopted%20Rules/25.HEALTH%20SERVICES.html#76
      17. Early Childhood Intervention, Effective 2/13/25
        https://www.sos.texas.gov/texreg/archive/February72025/Adopted%20Rules/26.HEALTH%20AND%20HUMAN%20SERVICES.html#84
      18. Respiratory Distress Medicine Policies in Schools, Published 2/14/25, Effective 02/19/25
      19. Radiation Advisory Board, Published 2/14/25, Effective 02/19/25
      20. Medicaid Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Center, Published 2/14/25, Effective 02/19/25
  6. Adjourn

*Public comment will be taken on these agenda items during this meeting. 
†The public comment period required by Sec. 2001.029, Tex. Gov’t Code, has ended as of the date of this meeting and written comments may no longer be submitted as provided by that statute and the posting of the rule proposals in the Texas Register. However, comments may be provided at this meeting pursuant to Sec. 531.0051, Tex. Gov’t Code.
‡The public comment period required by Sec. 2001.029, Tex. Gov’t Code, has not ended as of the date of this meeting and written comments may be submitted as provided by that statute and the posting of the rule proposals in the Texas Register. Comments may also be provided at this meeting pursuant to Sec. 531.0051, Tex. Gov’t Code.

§The recommendations were prepared by members of the advisory committees. The opinions and suggestions expressed in the recommendations are the members’ own and do not reflect the views of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission Executive Council or the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

The HHSC Executive Council will only review items listed on the agenda.

Public Comment: HHSC welcomes public comments pertaining to topics related to above agenda items 3 and 4. Members of the public who would like to provide public comment on either of those items may choose from the following options:

  1. Oral comments provided virtually: Members of the public must pre-register to provide oral comments virtually during the meeting by completing a Public Comment Registration form at https://texashhsmeetings.org/HHSCExecCouncil_PCReg_FEB2025 no later than 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 18, 2025. Please mark the correct box on the Public Comment Registration form and provide your name, either the organization you are representing or that you are speaking as a private citizen, and your direct phone number. If you have completed the Public Comment Registration form, you will receive an email the day before the meeting with instructions for providing virtual public comment. Public comment is limited to three minutes. Each speaker providing oral public comments virtually must ensure their face is visible and their voice audible to the other participants while they are speaking. Each speaker must state their name and on whose behalf they are speaking (if anyone). If you pre-register to speak and wish to provide a handout before the meeting, please submit an electronic copy in accessible PDF format that will be distributed by HHS staff to council members and state staff. Handouts are limited to two pages (paper size: 8.5” by 11”, one side only). Handouts must be emailed to ACCO_CommitteeFacilitation@hhs.texas.gov immediately after pre-registering, but no later than 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 18, 2025, and include the name of the person who will be commenting. Do not include health or other confidential information in your comments or handouts. Staff will not read handouts aloud during the meeting, but handouts will be provided to council members and state staff.
     
  2. Oral comments provided in-person at the meeting location: Members of the public may provide oral public comment during the meeting in person at the meeting location either by pre-registering using the form above or without pre-registering by completing a form at the entrance to the meeting room. Do not include health or other confidential information in your comments.

Contact: Questions regarding agenda items, content, or meeting arrangements should be directed to Tessa Buck-Ragland, HHSC Executive Council liaison at 512-960-5039 or ACCO_CommitteeFacilitation@hhs.texas.gov.

This meeting is open to the public. No reservations are required, and there is no cost to attend this meeting.

People who want to attend the meeting and require assistance with technology or services should contact Buck-Ragland at ACCO_CommitteeFacilitation@hhs.texas.gov or 512-960-5039 at least 72 hours before the meeting so arrangements can be made.