2021 Health IT Advocacy

 2021 Health IT Advocacy Day - February 2, 2021

 

Texas HIMSS Advocacy Newsletter - January 2021

Health IT policy is complex. To make a real impact on public policy, health advocacy is vital and requires strong, respected and coordinated voices.

HIMSS Chapter advocates connect with and educate policymakers at state, provincial and local levels, amplify public policy priorities, research the issues, build coalitions and monitor legislation—all with the goal of influencing public policy. When successful, health advocacy has the power to:

  • Guide health IT policy roadmaps
  • Enact legislation
  • Secure funding for strategic public policy support
  • Share stories, data, information and public policy positions

 

The following newsletter updates you on Texas Health IT Advocacy.

Your Texas HIMSS Advocacy Committee

 

 

Mark your calendars!

  • The 2021 session of the Texas Legislature commenced Tuesday January 12th.
  • Virtual Health Information Technology (HIT) Day will be February 2nd from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm CST 

 

Virtual Health Information Technology (HIT) Day

 

Our focus for this year will be Telehealth and you won’t want to miss our panel of leading experts from across the state.

This newsletter is for Texas HIMSS members, Texas Legistatures and Texas Legislatures Staff to register for this virtual event. We woulder you love you to attend all four sessions to register you will need to register for each session.

 

Virtual Health Information Technology (HIT) Day Zoom Registration Links

 

Texas Telehealth Policy (9:30-10:15am): Nora Blecher

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3LFqA_wBT-OM_2RaRU1xpw

Telehealth Reimbursement Overview (10:30-11:15am): Steve Love

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iY4D_Xp4TP2sWj2ymZnIVw

Telehealth in Rural Areas Overview (11:30-12:15am): Mark Steiger

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GvEdZtl1QeGBr_3DvDbzFg

National Telehealth Policy Overview (12:30-1:15pm): Mei Kwong

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GhHWinXPTo2JgQYA7bH7LA

 

Texas Legislature Sessions 2021

 

The Texas Legislature began meeting in regular session on the second Tuesday in January of each odd-numbered year. The Texas Constitution limits the regular session to 140 calendar days.

Each time the legislature meets local government entities pause and follow the thousands of bills introduced in each session because many of them can have a direct impact on budgets for the next two years through what are known as “unfunded mandates.”

 

The following Telehealth related bills that will be reviewed in the Texas Legislative Session 2021 are;

Senate Bills

87(R) SB 40 - Introduced Version - Bill Text

Author: Zaffirini

Caption: Relating to the use of telehealth in health professional programs administered by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

Excerpt: rules relating to the filing of claims and records   required to be maintained in connection with telehealth services;      (3) implement the requirements of Chapter 111, Occupations   Code, or any other law of this state regarding the provision of   telehealth services or the protection of patients receiving   telehealth services;      (4) provide for the remote supervision of assistants and other   authorized persons performing duties within their existing scope

87(R) SB 228 - Introduced Version - Bill Text

 Author: Blanco

Caption: Relating to the reimbursement and payment of claims by certain health benefit plan issuers for telemedicine medical services and telehealth services.

Excerpt: 87R1901 MEW-D     By: Blanco S.B. No. 228       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the reimbursement and payment of claims by certain health benefit plan issuers for telemedicine medical services and   telehealth services.

 

House Bills

87(R) HB 745 - Introduced Version

Author: Guerra

Caption: Relating to the establishment of telehealth programs by public schools.

Excerpt: 87R3944 MLH-D     By: Guerra H.B. No. 745   A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the establishment of telehealth programs by public  schools. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:  SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 38, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 38.040 to read as follows: Sec. 38.040.  TELEHEALTH PROGRAM. (a)  In this section,   "telehealth

87(R) HB 522 - Introduced Version

Author: Johnson, Julie

Caption: Relating to the reimbursement and payment of claims by certain health benefit plan issuers for telemedicine medical services and telehealth services.

Excerpt: 87R1901 MEW-D     By: Johnson of Dallas H.B. No. 522       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the reimbursement and payment of claims by certain   health benefit plan issuers for telemedicine medical services and   telehealth services.

87(R) HB 515 - Introduced Version

 Author: Oliverson

Caption: Relating to the reimbursement and payment of claims by certain health benefit plan issuers for telemedicine medical services and telehealth services.

Excerpt: 87R1901 MEW-D     By: Oliverson H.B. No. 515       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the reimbursement and payment of claims by certain   health benefit plan issuers for telemedicine medical services and   telehealth services.

87(R) HB 280 - Introduced Version

Author: Cortez

Caption: Relating to an action plan to expand telemedicine medical services and telehealth services and increase access to critical medical care and health care services in this state.

Excerpt: to read as follows:          Sec. 531.021611.  ACTION PLAN FOR TELEMEDICINE MEDICAL   SERVICES, TELEHEALTH SERVICES, CRITICAL MEDICAL CARE, AND HEALTH   CARE SERVICES. (a) The commission shall develop and implement an   action plan to: (1)  expand the use by health care providers of   telemedicine medical services, telehealth services, and related   mobile applications for those services and increase access to those   services

Sincerely,

Your Texas HIMSS Advocacy Committee

austin.advocacychair@himsschapter.org

 

 

HIT Advocacy in 2019

 

Health IT Day in Texas happened January 16 & 17, 2019. HIMSS members from the entire state came together with their fellow healthcare technology professionals to advocate for key Health Information Technology issues to help create safer and more efficient healthcare systems. We kicked off Texas Health IT Day activities on Wednesday evening at the iconic Stephen F. Austin Hotel with a networking social and training. Thursday included visits with Texas legislators at the Texas State Capitol in which we introduced and discussed important topics in the morning, and wrapped up with panel presentations in the afternoon.

Governor Greg Abbott declared January 17, 2019 the 6th Annual Texas Healthcare Information and Technology Day.

Topics of critical importance to Texans that we discussed:

  • Interoperability
  • Opioid Crisis
  • Virtual Health

Additionally, HIMSS leaders from Texas presented Representative Four Price and Senator Charles Perry with the Texas HIMSS Legislator of the Year awards for their work in supporting better healthcare through the use of technology for the citizens of Texas.