Health Care Advocate: March 6, 2025

Table of Contents THA Hits D.C. Amid Talk of Possible Government Shutdown THA advocacy staff traveled to Washington, D.C., this week, meeting with the offices of members of the Texas congressional delegation – including 14 House members and both U.S. senators – to discuss pressing issues impacting hospitals. April 1 looms as a key date by which lawmakers must resolve…

Will Holleman (far right), THA vice president of advocacy and public policy, leads students from Trinity University's Masters of Health Care Administration program around the Texas Capitol last week, when the students visited THA for an up-close look at advocacy in action. (Photo Credit: Natalie Guillot)

Health Care Advocate: Feb. 27, 2024

Table of Contents New THA Federal White Paper Calls for Careful Budget Approach Ahead of the U.S. House of Representatives advancing a major budget proposal on Tuesday night that would include the potential for deep Medicaid cuts, THA released a new white paper that lays out hospital-relevant pieces of the current congressional budget talks, and urges a careful approach that…

John Hawkins, THA president/CEO, and Marie Alvarez, division president for Acadia Healthcare, following testimony at the Senate Committee on Finance at the Texas State Capitol. (Photo Credit: Natalie Guillot)

Health Care Advocate: Feb. 20, 2024

Table of Contents Capitol Roundup: THA Backs Bill to Curb Insurer AI Misuse Following last week’s announcement of committee assignments in the House of Representatives, activity in the Texas Legislature is expected to pick up steam as bills are referred to the newly formed committees. As that process begins, THA is working to help craft, champion and advance legislation that…

In preparation for a health care reporting assignment, journalism students from Abilene Christian University visit with THA leadership to gain insight into health care policy, current issues impacting hospitals and effective communication strategies. (Photo Credit: Natalie Guillot)

Health Care Advocate: Feb. 13, 2025

Table of Contents Budget Haggling in D.C. Includes Talk of Medicare, Medicaid Cuts This week in Washington, D.C., budget committees in both the U.S. House and Senate passed separate frameworks that set top-line numbers for a reconciliation package that would advance President Trump’s policy priorities, including trillions of dollars in tax cuts. Both plans issue directives to specific committees to…

Jim Kendrick, THA board chair and president/CEO of Community Hospital Corporation, leads the first THA Board of Trustees meeting of 2025 last Friday, Feb. 7. (Photo Credit: Natalie Guillot)

Health Care Advocate: Feb. 6, 2025

Table of Contents Measles Toll in Gaines County Rises to Six State health authorities this morning announced the emergence of new measles cases in Texas for the third straight week, and the second straight week for Gaines County. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) now says six cases have been found in Gaines, on top of two Harris…

Hospital communicators weigh in on industry issues and best practices during THA’s second annual Texas Hospital Communicators Summit in Austin. (Photo Credit: Natalie Guillot)

Health Care Advocate: Jan. 30, 2025

Table of Contents Analysis: Budget Starting Point Holds Serve on Health Care Dollars THA’s review of the respective state House and Senate budget proposals for 2026-27 showed lawmakers in the Texas Legislature are largely preparing to hold the line on health care spending – a relative relief for Texas hospitals if that approach holds in the final budget. The filed…

Terry Scoggin, CEO of Titus Regional Medical Center, leads THA's Council on Policy Development at a recent meeting on critical policies heading into the Texas legislative session.

Health Care Advocate: Jan. 23, 2025

Table of Contents Kolkhorst, Perry Will Once Again Lead Senate HHS Committee The Texas Legislature’s most health care-relevant committee will look much the same during the 2025 session as it did two years ago. Last Friday, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick released the list of Senate committee assignments for the current session, and the Committee on Health and Human Services (HHS)…

Health Care Advocate: Jan. 16, 2025

Table of Contents Speaker Burrows’ THA Familiarity “Should Translate Well” The Texas Legislature gaveled in its 89th session on Tuesday with the traditionally quiet opening formalities enlivened this time with a contested race for speaker of the House of Representatives. Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) came out on top in the speaker’s race, a key factor in how session will unfold…

Health Care Advocate, Jan. 9, 2025

Table of Contents Congress Postpones DSH Cuts, Extends Key Programs Through March Just before the holidays, Congress once again played the proverbial game of “kick the can” on several hospital issues as it passed a continuing resolution to fund the government, including another delay on planned Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payment cuts. The final legislative package signed by President…

Health Care Advocate: Dec. 19, 2024

Table of Contents THA Finds Likely Error on Undocumented Immigrant Cost Form THA has contacted the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to resolve a potential error on the state’s form for hospitals to report data tied to caring for undocumented immigrants, released in connection with the executive order Gov. Greg Abbott issued last August. The form is now…