Texas Senate
Standing Committee
Oversees health and human services policy in Texas, including mental health care, access to healthcare, health insurance, workforce issues in state facilities, and monitoring related legislation.
Committee Leadership
Committee Composition
Committee Size
8 Members
Republicans
5
Democrats
3
Committee Partisan Split
5R – 3D
Committee Membership
Most Recent Session Activity
Metrics reflect activity during the most recent legislative session.
Legislation Referred
540
Legislation Voted Out
213
Overall Efficiency
39.44%
Committee Meetings
29
Interim Charges
- Protecting Taxpayer Funds – Preventing Fraud and Abuse: In support of Governor Abbott’s call to action to eliminate fraud, explore and recommend ways to prevent fraud and abuse in Texas human service programs including, but not limited to, Medicaid and Child Care Services programs.
- Addressing Societal Impacts of THC Product Consumption: Study the impact of THC on increased health care costs, mental health emergency detentions, and the risk of being diagnosed with a THC-induced psychotic disorder. Make recommendations to decrease health care and criminal justice costs.
- Strengthening Crisis Related Mental Health and Homelessness Services: Determine the state’s authority and procedures for providing public mental health services and the intersection of those services with homelessness and addiction. Evaluate the effectiveness, consistency, and outcomes of competency restoration for criminally charged individuals awaiting trial, as well as processes for civil in-patient and out-patient commitments. Make recommendations to prioritize the most acute populations for treatment in order to reduce public safety threats.
- Rising Health Care and Insurance Costs: Examine the drivers of rising health care costs in Texas. Consider whether certain providers and models for health care services, including, but not limited to, Pharmacy Benefit Managers and health care facility fees, have resulted in business practices that are contributing to rising health care costs and insurance premiums. Identify ways to lower the cost of health care and increase market flexibility, drawing on additional product offerings like Health Savings Accounts and new flexible plans.
- Combating the Exploitation of Surrogacy: Examine the unethical and foreign interests exploiting the surrogacy and fertility industries in Texas. Make recommendations to end this exploitation and related harm to patients and children.
- Monitoring: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services passed by the 89th Legislature, as well as relevant agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction. Specifically, make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, or complete implementation of the following:
- Mental health programs and services provided through the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium;
- The Department of Family and Protective Services Abuse and Neglect Central Registry;
- Senate Bill 25 (89th Legislature), relating to health and nutrition standards to promote healthy living, including requirements for food labeling, primary and secondary education, higher education, and continuing education for certain health care professionals; authorizing a civil penalty;
- Senate Bill 331 (89th Legislature), relating to the disclosure of health care cost information by certain health care facilities; imposing an administrative penalty;
- Senate Bill 1236 (89th Legislature), relating to the relationship between pharmacists or pharmacies and health benefit plan issuers or pharmacy benefit managers;
- Senate Bill 1 (89th Legislature, Second Called Session), relating to campground and youth camp safety;
- House Bill 3595 (89th Legislature), relating to an emergency preparedness and contingency operations plan, including temperature regulation, for assisted living facility residents during an emergency; providing penalties; and
- Other legislation related to health care costs.
Committee Jurisdiction
The Texas Senate Committee on Health and Human Services oversees a broad range of issues related to the health and well-being of Texas residents. Key areas of jurisdiction include:
- Children’s Mental Health: Reviews and makes recommendations to improve care and services available to children with high acuity mental and behavioral health needs, aiming to support family preservation and prevent entry into the child welfare system.
- Access to Health Care: Evaluates current access to primary and mental health care, especially in medically underserved areas, and examines regulatory and licensing flexibilities that could improve access while ensuring patient safety.
- Health Insurance: Examines the Texas health insurance market, looking into alternatives to employer-based insurance and identifying barriers that Texans face when navigating the health insurance market.
- Workforce Challenges: Addresses workforce challenges in State Supported Living Centers and State Hospitals, aiming to improve staffing and care quality in these facilities.
- Monitoring Implementation of Legislation: Monitors the implementation of health-related legislation passed by the Texas Legislature, ensuring that policies are effectively enacted and recommending improvements as necessary.
Committee Contact Information
Capitol Location
Sam Houston Building, 420
Phone Number
(512) 463-0360
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