[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6284612,"mediaKeyId","2577392-00fa690b81590115fadaac516ba8cc42","parentId",2577392,"title","Bill would let managed-care organizations inform enrollees about other coverage options; committee leaves measure pending","audioSeconds",194,"startMs",3058000,"endMs",3252000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2577392-00fa690b81590115fadaac516ba8cc42&start=3058&end=3252","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2577392-00fa690b81590115fadaac516ba8cc42/thumbnail_3058000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6284612/Texas/Bill-would-let-managed-care-organizations-inform-enrollees-about-other-coverage-options-committee-leaves-measure-pending","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284612-fa38f0f4ddd121eddf42113fe2a82469/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170886&Signature=Ugjgm4jyb6ygflphJNEF-y1L7sDkh955G~K1Uey3Tonc-BBoaYDRVLFIWhl35z2LZvUtD-8MSns3qe2xTkgoSiZbTSjjd5-t4kbYD25t9EAwLgjI440V1MhTDYaYPkvhnM7~6dU3ZhmD55JU4c0WXXd1GRbLirY~wclKTxkXpCc0lPD991M-mvOpaXNw4pp2cnyhEH1M6QUHkjXWOLh1gUHU7XDt3xtROvoEAPK7c1-7V1RaReQJg-EAhv1QI8xlQEySa3hZzS98Ny1AzNcT3ZwjaRj0b7VuXZzIdRJvVPn-bn1aGXZm3Gav4q5zE43mGINqvrztx5nK6-ayGiA0kQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Texas State Legislature","date","2025-03-12T00:00:00Z","article","Senate Bill 963, sponsored by Sen. Hughes, was presented to the Committee on Health & Human Services. The bill would clarify that managed care organizations (MCOs) may inform current and former Medicaid enrollees about other health coverage options, including qualified health plans offered through the health-insurance exchange.

Sen. Hughes said the bill originated from interim work showing that MCOs were effectively prevented by current rules from providing enrollment information about other coverage paths; the proposed change would “say that an MCO can inform enrollees about the availability of qualified health plans offered through the exchange.”

Jamie Dudensing, CEO of the Texas Association of Health Plans, testified in support and said the change came from an interim hearing on fraud, waste and abuse and from follow-up research about uninsured Texans. Dudensing said outreach from MCOs about existing programs and private-market options could help reduce the number of uninsured Texans, many of whom are eligible for coverage under current programs but lack information.

Sen. Hughes and the sponsor told the committee they expect to file a committee substitute to clarify coverage for current and former Medicaid enrollees. No one registered to testify in opposition at the hearing. The committee closed public testimony and left SB 963 pending.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Committee on Health and Human Services March 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 963 would allow Medicaid managed-care organizations to inform enrollees about other qualified health-plan options, including plans on the exchange; supporters said the change would give enrollees more choices and came from interim committee findings.","taxTitle","Committee on Health & Human Services, Senate, Legislative, Texas","taxId",16925,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6284617,"Committee hears bill aimed at curbing excessive charges for durable medical equipment used by Medicare beneficiaries",201,2781000,2982000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2577392-00fa690b81590115fadaac516ba8cc42&start=2781&end=2982","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2577392-00fa690b81590115fadaac516ba8cc42/thumbnail_2781000.jpg","/articles/6284617/Texas/Committee-hears-bill-aimed-at-curbing-excessive-charges-for-durable-medical-equipment-used-by-Medicare-beneficiaries","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284617-74848a78bc2743a0085c713cfaacabef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170886&Signature=BQ187TdaZqz~TkBBqEu2vAO34n6MF~zzXDoKkJgPUUoXC7k13~nSqMHegIaMhXj22CmdSt9SNPpMFJROXwVND2DhXJej9ZO8jWf3XTTxnULzRqUFBhkibwADIEgjxH10qVaHH1RJKvxH5e~Oyqk9irQn0aYg2yOfjV-nyHIK0JdiwL~AoXlxhmLKVfLCfKgM0XRwCBzTBvGbnNjrjNckLDWF7S4H~2UCXAm5Qn0BXfhR0lTXmeh5F-Jqck5yMgoloy6bIWd1sceanilC~jYT3I8Bb4qz7NmHy-25Cq7vN0B-UdMr1Jty8ZYTEeje0v0tAUD3R7Qagetx7aiaPw8bog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 1330, sponsored by Sen. Hancock, would create a mechanism to limit excessive charges for durable medical equipment (DME) sometimes billed to Medicare beneficiaries or their insurers at many times Medicare-approved prices. The committee heard invited testimony from Sean Pollock of Globe Life Insurance Company in support.

Sen. Hancock told the committee the bill “causes a loophole in the Federal Medicare law” to be closed and curbs “artificial premium inflation” by preventing unreasonable charges for DME; the sponsor said the bill does not prohibit an insured individual from choosing a higher-priced nonparticipant supplier if they prefer that product and are willing to pay.

Sean Pollock, representing Globe Life (headquartered in McKinney, Texas), said the company supports SB 1330 because it protects seniors from balance billing and helps insurers avoid paying inflated charges that drive up costs for beneficiaries. Pollock provided national policy context about abuse and said his firm covers around 7,200 Texas Medicare-supplement policyholders.

Committee members indicated staff will prepare a committee substitute to clean up technical language and legislative counsel drafting. The chair left SB 1330 pending.

Why it matters: Committee sponsors said the bill targets abusive billing practices that can inflate out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries and raise insurer claims costs.","Senate Bill 1330 would close a gap in federal Medicare rules that allows some durable medical equipment suppliers to bill far above Medicare-approved prices, sponsors said; insurers and a McKinney-headquartered firm supported the bill and the committee left it pending for a technical substitute.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6284621,"Committee considers streamlining court filing and notice rules for mental-health proceedings",378,63000,441000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2577392-00fa690b81590115fadaac516ba8cc42&start=63&end=441","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2577392-00fa690b81590115fadaac516ba8cc42/thumbnail_63000.jpg","/articles/6284621/Texas/Committee-considers-streamlining-court-filing-and-notice-rules-for-mental-health-proceedings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284621-fa55d7fc3faaba777968f39d733c84e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170886&Signature=AYQOrWw18pIkmdNnMBfEyapigs9nmgR67CFF2AuUXtByGQtCtxxaMfRJs9--VeF0hvzZrkkjRcu0UnehjZQls~uSVFCDEAEDSDVyjGuZ-Etrznsox6CVUZE91LP3wgqpCxk6E76mrzBOSlM~jm9sbVz78gAvf1WaQeUWUm3-iAhE1ZvNdcaIwEm4eNxriybkc9VyfIcpPDR3W5F1id6tGH6GSgI0mGUQmMjw1dKSmVpsTZemsaGpgiGQuMtyQ2KEanRjOisZEIHAVYnjrZE6ChFEJG80nR4jNnw-GO52aWnSRjWdtVIddRkotGeRqxZEz61Scool51AZ-6HunIO7nQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee on Health & Human Services considered Senate Bill 53, authored by Sen. Judith Zaffirini, which would update certain notice and original-document filing requirements for courts with mental-health jurisdiction.

Zaffirini told the committee the bill would eliminate an outdated requirement that an original paper document be filed within 72 hours after an electronic filing — a rule rooted in concerns that ink on paper and faxed documents faded. She said modern electronic filing, faxing and email have made that requirement unnecessary and inefficient.

The bill also clarifies that in courts with mental-health jurisdiction a constable, sheriff or deputy sheriff may provide personal service for notices in mental-health cases; witnesses said a lack of explicit authorization in the Health and Safety Code left some local law enforcement hesitant to participate in some counties.

Judge Guy Herman, a presiding statutory probate court judge, testified in support and corrected a technical point on burden of proof: he said the burden in mental-health civil-commitment proceedings is “clear and convincing evidence,” while the burden for intellectual disability commitment in an SSLC (state-supported living center) is “beyond a reasonable doubt.” Herman said courts and hospitals already maintain records and that modern procedures make routine physical filing unnecessary; records can be subpoenaed if the court needs originals.

Committee members asked clarifying questions. The chair closed public testimony and left SB 53 pending for further consideration.

Why it matters: The bill aims to remove procedural requirements that witnesses and the sponsor described as obsolete and to clarify law-enforcement authority to serve notice, which could affect how mental-health court proceedings operate across counties.

Outcome: No vote; bill left pending.","Senate Bill 53 would update notice and filing requirements in court proceedings involving persons with mental illness, including clarifying that sheriffs, constables, and deputies may personally serve notices; invited witnesses explained the bill updates antiquated requirements dating to the era of faded fax originals.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6284626,"Senate committee hears bill to give Texans property rights in their DNA; experts urge broader protections",522,632000,1154000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2577392-00fa690b81590115fadaac516ba8cc42&start=632&end=1154","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2577392-00fa690b81590115fadaac516ba8cc42/thumbnail_632000.jpg","/articles/6284626/Texas/Senate-committee-hears-bill-to-give-Texans-property-rights-in-their-DNA-experts-urge-broader-protections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284626-cd8d9a526cff5cba326c9b094a1f41ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170886&Signature=JTvYxVnwaM2NsTETdqZ3yEQC6m2GewUqR6fCDoZyBSgyARi~s1f8TKDc2YgWOGURHXi1MxBH1rfHspVAAXvhaNpYYZn4M4O6bLk4hTtCTIYzJjxrDAMm6nd~6jEmZERqqaVD1ykyRS9cXLHVnoPSN-XmULpZpUsVFemarrbOZpAK3j8tTH1fqQOfkpsL7FgJZ3Um0Gev8kkbG-610cypHbWBXb86dvpJYiAiP4qx90H2GGg1QC~DXQWza0tdMgpSiajldCsJhFja2umb6Gr-8YSK18NvdJW8VIEzWCrmubR5rV1I45OLKwSNDzIK0mwyqQJZovpZM6oF~98DVpqgHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee on Health & Human Services heard Senator Charles’ (Chair) explanation and invited testimony Wednesday on Senate Bill 315, which would recognize property rights in an individual’s DNA sample and aims to prevent unauthorized collection, analysis or commercial use of genetic material.

Chairman Coccourse (Senate) framed the bill as protecting Texans from unauthorized genetic testing and commercialization of DNA. He told the committee “the purpose of this bill is to grant Texans exclusive property rights over their DNA and genetic information to provide protections currently not granted under Texas law.”

Jessica Roberts, a law professor who researches genetics and the law, testified in support but urged substantial amendments. Roberts recommended that the bill create a property right in both the physical DNA sample and the results of DNA analysis, require written informed consent for collection, analysis, retention and sharing, expand the definition of “genetic characteristic” beyond disease predisposition, and strengthen enforcement by allowing individuals a private right of action and damages rather than exclusive enforcement by the attorney general. She also recommended an explicit newborn-screening exception so the bill would not disrupt required public-health screening programs.

A public witness, Michelle Evans of Texans for Vaccine Choice, testified in favor and framed the bill as protecting Texans’ DNA from modification without consent and as offering “an extra layer of protection for health care transparency, patients’ rights, informed consent, and vaccine choice.”

Senators and witnesses discussed existing state and federal protections. Roberts referenced the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) and said federal and state rules still leave gaps in how genetic information can be collected, sold, or analyzed. Committee members thanked the witness and noted they expected a committee substitute to reflect technical and scope changes as the bill moves forward. The chair left public testimony closed and left SB 315 pending.

Why it matters: The bill addresses an evolving area of consumer privacy and medical-technology law at the intersection of health, research and commerce. Experts asked the committee to expand protections to genetic information and to add enforcement mechanisms to ensure the law can be enforced on behalf of individuals.

Outcome: No vote; SB 315 left pending for drafting of a committee substitute that may incorporate witnesses’ recommendations.","Senate Bill 315 would create a property right in an individual’s DNA sample; invited experts urged expanding coverage to genetic information and adding enforcement mechanisms. Supporters and a public witness discussed privacy and consumer protection concerns; committee left bill pending.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6284633,"Texas Senate committee weighs bill to protect directed and autologous blood donations after families say access was cut",470,1594000,2064000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2577392-00fa690b81590115fadaac516ba8cc42&start=1594&end=2064","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2577392-00fa690b81590115fadaac516ba8cc42/thumbnail_1594000.jpg","/articles/6284633/Texas/Texas-Senate-committee-weighs-bill-to-protect-directed-and-autologous-blood-donations-after-families-say-access-was-cut","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284633-b80d1b2ccc998d327f45d3ce86d0008a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170887&Signature=bVzf5n4Yivf3ohkbj4zdesDcutNqrGZiE768O0NbnZ8QZT8dF4dfiABlrT8J8IzQVAlTy5Zs~~gjMpNzsUINojcaiF8Xuw3ICmC27YX4jxH-9EWevpjsVxebKn6gvV9S3-nAEDSySWpO9y8xZNDGOZ20QmEzwVZn5O-ffqGtEEI4UhyF8AnwNpl2pmAEuBBEv49EC7EM7axbsXe2fHr9fgvb9XjV3gkUGb~JF04EyTRw86ov1HFv~-GFlOn8riCmNanNINsOGcfWu1GrdjTDXDlWql35v6PHoK7Qc5dzZReAWUfFsUG8eUJmd5absWpgeBSRtqXJBHk1Y4ivaGCvzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators in the Committee on Health & Human Services heard more than two hours of testimony Wednesday on Senate Bill 125, a bill by Sen. Charles Hall that would require certain hospitals and blood centers to accept and facilitate directed and autologous blood donations for planned procedures when a patient (or the patient’s representative) provides notice in advance.

Supporters said the practice allows patients with rare blood types or chronic transfusion needs to receive fresher, better-matched blood and can cut the frequency of transfusions. Dr. Gloria Danielle Gamboa, a licensed physician who treats two children with homozygous beta thalassemia major, told the committee the girls “stopped getting sick” after the family organized known donors and used directed donations. Mother Tanya Lair said the family’s health “got turned upside down” in 2023 when Carter Blood Care told them their donors could no longer donate for the children, and that the children’s hemoglobin fell and their energy and school performance declined until the family found another hospital and donor source.

“The girls stopped getting sick, their hemoglobin stayed normal,” Dr. Gamboa said, describing how access to directed donors allowed transfusions to be spaced to once every four weeks instead of every two or three. Tanya Lair said, “I’m here today with my girls, begging you, once again, to support this bill.” Both girls provided brief statements describing improved health and activities after their donors were restored.

Opponents, including representatives of Carter Blood Care, We Are Blood and the Texas Hospital Association, told the committee SB 125 in its current form raises feasibility and safety concerns. BJ Smith, chief operating officer at Carter Blood Care, said blood centers must follow federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules, that autologous and directed donations require special handling and testing, and that a 72-hour processing mandate in the bill could be impractical. Nicole Losarti of the Texas Hospital Association said “most Texas hospitals don’t have the infrastructure to comply” with FDA registration and that proper testing and preparation “typically takes between 7 and 14 days.”

We Are Blood’s vice president, Nicholas Canedo, said his center collected roughly 66,000 donations last year and that only 30 were directed or autologous based on physician orders; he said the bill lacks language to distinguish medically necessary directed donations from voluntary preferences and that removing a physician-order requirement could increase demand on blood centers and the risk of diverting resources from the community blood supply.

Committee members pressed both sides for practical fixes. Senator Hall and others said the bill’s committee substitute will narrow requirements to hospitals that already facilitate directed/autologous donations and will add language to preserve physician oversight and medical necessity. The committee left the bill pending and directed staff to continue working with stakeholders on a substitute.

Why it matters: Families of patients who depend on chronic transfusions told the committee the change in donor policy had immediate health effects. Lawmakers must weigh those individual impacts against operational and regulatory constraints raised by blood centers and hospitals.

Votes/actions: No final vote occurred; SB 125 was left pending for a committee substitute and additional stakeholder negotiation.

Ending: Committee members asked authors and opponents to meet on bill language. The chair closed public testimony and left the bill pending, noting a committee substitute would address many of the operational and scope concerns raised.","Lawmakers heard emotional testimony from families and physicians urging protection for directed and autologous blood donations after a local blood center curtailed the practice; hospitals and blood centers warned the bill as written could create safety and operational problems. The measure was left pending for further work with stakeholders.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bill would let managed-care organizations inform enrollees about other coverage options; committee leaves measure pending

Committee hears bill aimed at curbing excessive charges for durable medical equipment used by Medicare beneficiaries

Committee considers streamlining court filing and notice rules for mental-health proceedings

Senate committee hears bill to give Texans property rights in their DNA; experts urge broader protections

Texas Senate committee weighs bill to protect directed and autologous blood donations after families say access was cut