Author: DW Admin

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In this issue:

State Updates

• 2020 Census Delay May Impact Texas Redistricting
• Bexar County Mental Health and Substance Use Services Receive $3 Million
• TEA Offers Special Education Grant for Students Impacted by Pandemic
• HHSC Extends Emergency SNAP Benefits Through February

Federal Updates

• COVID-19 Special Enrollment Period Begins February 15
• White House Contracts $230M for At-Home Rapid COVID-19 Tests

COVID-19 News

• Current COVID-19 Variants Explained
• COVID-19 Vaccine Allocations for Week 8 of Distribution

Upcoming Hearings

Upcoming Meetings & Events

Advocacy Find your Rep How the Texas Legislature Works In the news Methodist Healthcare Ministries Makes Case for Medicaid Expansion Movement to expand digital connectivity in Texas gains momentum RGV lack of internet connectivity contributes to lowest vaccination rate in the state Brownsville receives $90,000 from partners for broadband access Research The State of Obesity in Texas COVID-19 Dashboard COVID-19 Vaccine Information Texas Case Counts Trends by County

 

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State Updates

2020 Census Delay May Impact Texas Redistricting

The Census Bureau announced that the 2020 Census results will not be released until at least two months after the end of the ongoing 87^th Legislative Session. The Bureau estimates that the data will not be available until after July of this year.

The results of the 2020 Census have been delayed by several months as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, census workers faced many challenges posed by the public health crisis, limited resources, and numerous changes in policy from Washington D.C. In most instances, the first set of census data is distributed by December 31 of the census year and the second set by mid-February the following year. The 2020 Census results are expected to reflect large population gains in Texas of over 4.2 million residents since 2010.

The latest census data is crucial to Texas legislators who will be undertaking redistricting during this year’s state legislative session. Redistricting takes place every decade to ensure adequate representation for the state’s population. The 87^thLegislature began on January 12^th and adjourns after 140 days. With the latest census data being delayed well into summer, Texas lawmakers can expect to be called back to the capitol for a special session later in the year to complete redistricting responsibilities. To read more on the issue, click here.

Bexar County Mental Health and Substance Use Services Receives $3 Million

On January 26, the Bexar County Commissioners Court approved $2.2 million in general funds for a contract with the The Center for Health Care Services for the delivery of mental health treatment services for eligible individuals so as to circumvent the criminal justice system. In addition to the CHCS grant allocation, the Commissioner’s Court also approved a $1.4 million contract with San Antonio Lifetime Recovery to finance substance abuse services as part of the county’s Treatment Alternatives to Incarceration Program.

The Center for Health Care Services, in partnership with the Bexar County Mental Health Court, provide services to individuals with mental health needs as an alternative to incarceration. The Center also works to identify and remove individuals who have already been incarcerated and are in need treatment. In the past three years, the Mental Health Court has graduated 110 individuals from the program.

San Antonio Lifetime Recovery is an inpatient treatment center with services ranging from 45 to 90 days. The facility is currently housing 28 individuals who have been diverted from the Bexar County Jail for substance use disorder treatment.

TEA Offers Special Education Grant for Students Impacted by Pandemic

On January 28, the Texas Education Agency released an online application for the Supplementary Special Education Services (SSES) program. The SSES program allows children with cognitive disabilities and complex educational needs to receive a $1,500 online credit to be used within the SSES marketplace.

The program will be accepting the applications of approximately 18,000 students with cognitive disabilities across the state. Qualifying recipients of the one-time $1,500 grant will be able to purchase a broad range of educational resources and services to ensure the continuation of their educational progress despite limitations caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The Texas Education Agency is requesting that school systems across Texas encourage eligible families of K-12 students to complete the online application through the secure portal. Additional program information, resources, and the application can be found here. Any program and related eligibility questions should be directed to the SSES team at ssesinfo@tea.texas.gov.

HHSC Extends Emergency SNAP Benefits Through February

On February 2, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), announced $300 million in emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits for the month of February.

In addition to the issuance of $204 million SNAP benefits in January of this year, Governor Greg Abbott and the HHSC have extended the emergency benefits through February. Emergency SNAP benefits have been vital to Texans struggling with hunger which has been exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible SNAP recipients will continue to receive the maximum allowable benefit in addition to a 15% increase in their total benefit. These benefits will be distributed to recipients’ accounts by February 28 and will continue monthly until June 2021.

For more information on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, click here.

Federal Updates

COVID-19 Special Enrollment Period Begins February 15

President Joe Biden issued an Executive Order on January 28 announcing that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will open a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) in response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. The SEP will give families the opportunity to enroll in 2021 health insurance coverage beginning February 15 and ending May 15, 2021.

HHS stated that during the SEP, individuals who are Marketplace-eligible consumers will be able to apply for new coverage or update an existing application online, by phone, or in person at a direct enrollment site. Residents from states with state-based Marketplaces (SBMs) can find locations to apply for health coverage here. Coverage can be expected to begin within a month after completing an application.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will promote awareness and utilization of the SEP through a paid advertising campaign. A direct customer outreach in several languages will also be available to ensure a diverse range of communities are able to take advantage of this opportunity. The Biden Administration has allocated $50 million for SEP outreach and education.

To determine if you are eligible to enroll in the SEP, click here. More information on the Health Insurance Marketplace can be accessed here.

White House Contracts $230M for At-Home Rapid COVID-19 Tests

On February 1, the Biden administration announced a $232 million contract to the Australian-based Ellume for the development of at-home COVID-19 test kits. The United States is currently in the process of developing an American manufacturing facility that is expected to be finalized this summer.

The Biden Administration has arranged for the Australian facility to produce and ship 100,000 kits per month to the United States beginning February and ending in July when the U.S. facility is complete. At full capacity, the U.S facility is projected to produce up to 19 million test kits per month. The test is 95% effective at detecting the SARS-CoV-2 virus in both symptomatic and asymptomatic cases with results being available in as little as 15 minutes. The test is conducted using a self-administered nasal swab and the results are delivered via Bluetooth to any smartphone device.

The introduction of an at-home rapid testing option is expected to aid in reducing the spread of COVID-19. With the ability to test safely at home, health experts are optimistic that this convenient new mode of testing will give the country greater access to fast and accurate COVID-19 test results which is crucial to effectively combatting the virus.

COVID-19 NEWS

Current COVID-19 Variants Explained

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified that the coronavirus has mutated to create the B.1.1.7 United Kingdom variant, B1.351 South African variant and the P.1 Brazilian variant. The CDC has expressed that current limited research has not identified the variants to be deadlier. However, they are still more contagious than the original coronavirus strain responsible for the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Variants of the virus are discovered through randomized analysis of COVID-19 test samples submitted by providers. The current process allows for the possibility of some circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants to be missed. Texas is currently only able to break down the virus and observe its structure through a process known as sequencing. This information is then sent to the Utah Public Health Lab for variant identification. The state is currently working on creating its own identification infrastructure.

Scientists have expressed concern about the Brazilian variant due to its ability to spread the fastest of all known variants and has been shown to avoid original COVID-19 antibodies. Research at this time is limited and is not sufficient to make any assumptions on how the virus can impact a vaccinated population. Current COVID-19 vaccines are expected to still offer a level of protection to individuals against these variants.

As the vaccine rollout continues within Texas, health experts have urged the public to continue to take precautions such as undergoing COVID-19 testing, wearing a double mask, and social distance to avoid contracting or spreading the virus and its variants.

COVID-19 Vaccine Allocations for Week 8 of Distribution

The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) published a news releaseannouncing that Texas can expect to receive 520,425 first COVID-19 vaccine doses during Week 8 of vaccine allocations beginning February 1. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was instructed by DSHS to ship these doses to 344 providers, including 82 hub providers across 166 Texas counties. 

Vaccines have been more available now that there is a 30% increase in the number of Moderna vaccines being allocated by the federal government. The Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program ordered more vaccines than needed and will be returning roughly 126,750 Pfizer vaccine doses back to the state. DSHS will be allocating these doses to providers who have received allocations less than necessary to satisfy population rates, particularly within the suburban Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston areas. 

Texas is also ordering an additional 188,225 doses reserved as second doses for those who are scheduled to receive their second dose. Individuals are recommended to receive their second dose from the same provider that administered their first dose. Texas has administered roughly 2.2 million doses of the vaccine, in which over 1.75 million people received the first dose and over 410,000 people fully vaccinated. Access more DSHS COVID-19 information here.

Upcoming Hearings

• Posted Agendas for House Committees

• Posted Agendas for Senate Committees

 

Upcoming Meetings & Events

February 10 at 9:00 a.m. – Policy Council for Children and Families (PCCF) Agenda meeting

February 11 at 9:00 a.m. – Medical Care Advisory Committee (MCAC) Agenda meeting

February 11 at 1:00 p.m. – STAR+PLUS Pilot Program Workgroup (SPPPW) Agenda meeting

February 25 at 10:30 a.m. – State Medicaid Managed Care Advisory Committee Clinical Oversight and Administrative Simplification Subcommittee (SMMCAC) Agenda meeting

 

For more information on health care research, policy or advocacy, please contact Chris Yanas at cyanas@mhm.org.

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In this issue:

State Updates

• State Urging Faster Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccines
• Texas "Vaccination Hubs" Created to Distribute COVID-19 Vaccines
• The Texas 87th Legislative Session Reconvenes on January 12th
• Bills Filed Would Create State Health Literacy Plan 
• Trauma Informed Care Training and Education Bills Filed
• Pandemic Draws Attention to Vaccines 
• State Comptroller Releases Biennial Revenue Estimate

Federal Updates

• Second Round of Stimulus Checks on Their Way

COVID-19 News

• Scientists Debate Administering Half Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine

Advocacy Find your Rep How the Texas Legislature Works In the news Medicaid expansion a top priority for Texas health advocates in 2021 SA hospitals' owner taps former Federal Reserve advisor as new VP Podcast: How Jordana Barton became the Valley's champion for eliminating the digital divide COVID-19 Dashboard COVID-19 Vaccine Information Texas Case Counts Trends by County

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State Updates

State Urging Faster Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccines

Texas hospitals and healthcare providers are being urged by the state to administer ongoing shipments of the COVID-19 vaccines more promptly to eligible community residents. The vaccine distribution for Week 5 will provide vaccines to 234 healthcare providers across the state. 

Individuals who meet the criteria for vaccine eligibility can refer to the Vaccine Provider Location Map for access to the vaccine. The Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program, a program that began to administer vaccines to staff and residents at 770 long-term care facilities, will be receiving 121,875 doses. Healthcare providers across Texas can also expect to receive 500,000 doses to be administered to individuals who are scheduled to receive their second vaccine dose. The Texas Hospital Association is currently in the process of producing digital messages for its hospital members to communicate vaccine procedures and availability to the public.

Vaccine allocations for Week 6 will be intended for healthcare providers who have not yet received vaccines or are located in rural communities. Current data show that there are 13,397 COVID-19 Texas hospitalizations, with only 8,687 hospitals beds and 614 intensive care unit beds available in Texas. Additional case counts and hospital data can be found here. Since vaccine supply is limited, DSHS encourages healthcare providers to administer the vaccines promptly to priority populations and report those doses to the state’s immunization registry, ImmTrac2.

Texas “Vaccination Hubs” Created to Distribute COVID-19 Vaccines

Roughly 158,825 COVID-19 vaccines will be received by large “vaccination hubs” this week across Texas. These “vaccination hubs” are known for their ability to vaccinate up to 100,000 individuals, which alleviates the strain from rising positive COVID-19 cases. A list of the identified 28 providers categorized as a hub can be found here. 

These hubs will also be responsible to continue vaccine administrations to group 1A, which includes healthcare workers, and members in nursing homes or long-term care facilities. As of late December, state officials encouraged hospitals to begin vaccine distribution to members in group 1B, which includes individuals who are 65 and older, and people with an increased risk of infection from existing medical conditions. 

The Texas Department of State Health Services has collaborated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to deliver 38,300 doses to 104 providers statewide. This brings the total to 222 counties expected to continue vaccine distribution in Texas. As of Jan. 7^th, at least 475,000 Texans have received their first vaccine dose and 6,500 Texans have received the required two doses. State officials encourage the practice of COVID-19 safety precautions as vaccine supply is yet to meet demand.

The Texas 87th Legislative Session Reconvenes on January 12th

At 12:00 noon on Tuesday, January 12^th the Texas legislature officially gaveled in the 87^th Legislative Session in Austin for the biennial, 140-day legislative session. Both the House and Senate have developed safety protocols in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and last week’s protest at the US Capitol.

Individuals planning to enter the Capitol were expected to receive a mandatory COVID-19 test as advised by the Department of Public Safety. Lawmakers were directed to invite fewer guests than in past sessions and House members were required to wear face masks on the House floor as forms of added safety measures. The legislative session kicked off with the confirmed election of Rep. Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) as the new House Speaker. In the Senate, Senator Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury) was also unanimously elected president pro tempore of the Senate. This position is usually held by senators who have the longest tenure. Some items that can be expected to be on the state’s priority discussion list include redistricting, crafting a two-year state budget and measures to tackle the pandemic. To date, 1,423 bills have been filed by legislators. For access to the 87^th legislative session livestream, click here.

Bills Filed Would Create State Health Literacy Plan  

Health literacy continues to be an important priority for Methodist Healthcare Ministries this legislative session. Ensuring that all individuals have the capacity to obtain, communicate, process and understand basic health information to make appropriate health decisions for themselves empowers patients to advocate for good health. 

In the Senate, Senate Bill 124 has been filed by Senator Nathan Johnson (D-Dallas). As drafted, SB 124 would add health literacy to the statewide health literacy plan and establish an advisory committee composed of representatives of relevant stakeholders, including physicians, hospitals, and nurses. The committee would develop a long-term plan focusing on identifying the primary factors contributing to low health literacy in the state, examine the methodologies of healthcare providers, the effectiveness of using quality measures in state health programs, and examine the impact that improved health literacy could have on patient safety. House Bill 578, a companion bill to SB 124, has been filed in the House by State Representative John Turner, (D-Dallas).

Trauma Informed Care Training and Education Bills Filed

This session, Methodist Healthcare Ministries will be supporting a number of bills that aim to establish Trauma Informed Care training and education requirements for public school curriculum, judges and attorneys that practice family law, and foster parents.

House Bill 564 by Rep. Ray Lopez (D-San Antonio) would require foster parents, adoptive parents, and kinship care-givers to complete a trauma informed care training course. Rep. Lopez has also filed House Bill 565 which would place training requirements on certain judges and attorneys that represent the state in a suit seeking the termination of a parent-child relationship or appointment of a conservator. Their training will be focused on the effects of trauma on children. Additionally, House Bill 566 by Rep. Lopez further outlines the requirements of trauma informed care training for certain attorneys. Any attorney who is acting as attorney ad litem for a child in a child protection case will only be qualified to represent the child after completing three hours of continuing legal education relating to the representation of a child each year.

In the Senate, Senate Bill 123 by Senator Nathan Johnson would require the development of public-school curriculum that is focused on the inclusion of social and emotional skills. This would include the development of student’s character traits, such as integrity, respect, reliability, and more. The bill would apply to students K-12 and aims to create a culture of respect and empathy for youth in their formative years.

Pandemic Draws Attention to Vaccines 

The focus on the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing search for a life-saving vaccine has directed our attention to the importance of all vaccines and the historic role they have played in eliminating fatal diseases over our lifetime. 

Lawmakers have filed a number of immunization bills for the upcoming 87^th Legislative Session, including the need to expand our current registry system as well as require all students to be immunized against meningococcal meningitis.

House Bill 325 by Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin) would allow for the development of a state immunization registry for the purposes of public health research. By developing a robust data infrastructure, the state will be better equipped to manage public health emergencies in the future. Immunizing students against meningococcal meningitis is the goal of House Bills 516, 591, and Senate Bill 138, all relating to the requirement of Texas students to be fully immunized against meningococcal meningitis and provide these records to the school district.

State Comptroller Releases Biennial Revenue Estimate

On January 11th, State Comptroller Glenn Hegar gave the biennial revenue estimate for the 2022-23 state budget. Comptroller Hegar shared that Texas find itself in unprecedented circumstances this year in developing state budget estimates. Before the pandemic, the state was maintaining $4.8 billion in general funds and state tax revenue was running ahead as well, poising Texas for another surplus year.

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken an enormous economic toll on the state. Travel, hospitality, and dining services that make up a large portion of the state’s tax revenue have taken a major hit. Texas employment peaked in February and rebounded slightly in May, but the state is currently maintaining a loss of more than 500,000 jobs and claims for unemployment benefits remain high. Despite the current economic climate, Hagar is forecasting economic growth in the next biennium as the state continues to slowly moves toward recovery, fueled by the recent approval and distribution of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

Comptroller Hegar estimated that the state will maintain a balance of $112.53 billion in total revenue for general purpose spending, after the $5.83 billion in revenue reserved for transfer to the Economic Stabilization and State Highway Fund, as well as the transfer of $270 million to the Texas Tomorrow Fund. To view the slides used during the press conference click here.

Federal Updates

Second Round of Stimulus Checks on Their Way

The Treasury Department and IRS are expected to distribute roughly eight million stimulus payments in the form of either an Economic Impact Payment via prepaid debit card, direct deposit or check by mail. Millions of Americans can expect to receive their second round of payments of up to $600 through January 15.

People who qualify for a second round of stimulus payments in the amount of $600 include adults who earn no more than $75,000 and each child under the age of 17 filed as dependents. Individuals can expect to receive prepaid debit cards or checks in the mail if the Treasury does not have their banking information on file. The Treasury also noted that individuals will be able to get replacement cards without fees, if needed.

Supplemental unemployment payments in the amount of $300 will also be distributed to qualifying individuals for up to 11 weeks. Payments will be sent in white envelopes displaying the Treasury Department’s seal in response to confusion experienced by taxpayers in the first round who thought the payments were a possible scam. 

Although the president and U.S. House encouraged the passage of a $2,000 stimulus package, the U.S. Senate recently voted against it. With the Senate runoff elections confirmed in Georgia, resulting in an even split among both parties in the Senate, the passage of another round of stimulus checks in the amount of $2,000 or $1,400 will likely revisited by the new incoming administration

COVID-19 NEWS

Scientists Debate Administering Half Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine

With allocations of both COVID-19 vaccines underway, healthcare workers and scientists believe the vaccines are not being made available fast enough. As vaccine distribution seems to have slowed down amid rising COVID-19 cases, scientists are beginning to consider other strategic tactics to fight the spread of the virus as fast as possible.

In December, federal health officials claimed that 20 million people would receive their first vaccine by the end of 2020. Yet within the first days of January 2021, only 4.2 million individuals have received their doses. In effort to make the most of the current vaccine supply, a scientific adviser from Operation Warp Speed has suggested that the Moderna vaccine be administered as half doses to Americans. Given that the COVID-19 vaccines provide protection against the virus after the first dose, by only administering half a dose, twice the number of Americans will be protected within a shorter period.

Scientists opposed to this position argue that the vaccines were created to provide maximum protection against the virus from two full doses, and there is no guarantee that the first half dose would provide adequate protection after the three to four week waiting period for a booster dose. As the spread of the new COVID-19 variant quickens, and the current vaccine rollout steadily slows, scientists are considering several options that will increase vaccine efforts.

For more information on health care research, policy or advocacy, please contact Chris Yanas at cyanas@mhm.org.

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