2023 Texas Legislature Testimonies

TMA physician leaders are working tirelessly on behalf of their profession and their patients to improve the Texas healthcare system. Medicine recommends lawmakers consider these initiatives during the 88th legislative session.

Here's a look back at testimony from the 2021 legislative session.

Below are delivered testimonies to lawmakers and state agencies.

Budget

TMA Urges Budget Conferees to Bolster Women’s, Children’s, Behavioral Health
(Testimony By TMA, Stakeholders to the Legislative Budget Conferees Regarding House Bill 1; May 2, 2023)

Physicians Ask House Budget Committee to Invest in Texans’ Health
(TMA Testimony by Ann Blake, MD, to the House Appropriations Committee – Subcommittee on Article II, House Bill 1, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Feb. 28, 2023)

Physicians Ask House Budget Writers to Back DSHS Public Health Funding
(TMA Written Testimony by Donald Murphey, MD, to the House Appropriations Committee – Subcommittee on Article II, House Bill 1, Department of State Health Services, Feb. 28, 2023)

TMA Seeks Funding for Maternal Health, Disease Prevention, and More
(TMA and Stakeholders Testimony to Department of State Health Services Re: Senate Bill 1, Article II , Feb. 2, 2023)

TMA Supports Allocation of Funds to Sustain Momentum in Cancer Research, Prevention, and Treatment
(Written Testimony Re: CPRIT to Senate Finance Committee, Jan. 30, 2023)

TMA Supports the Maintenance of Existing Services Required to Carry Out the Public Health Activities Critical to the State
(Testimony Re: DSHS 2024-25 Legislative Appropriation and Exceptional Items Request, Sept. 29, 2022)

Graduate Medical Education/Workforce

Strengthen Liability Protections for Physicians, Health Care Workers in Self-Defense Situations
(TMA Testimony by Tilden Childs III, MD, to the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, in Support of House Bill 4762; April 25, 2023)

Non-Compete Legislation Strikes Reasonable Balance for Physicians, Employers
(TMA testimony by Tilden Childs III, MD, to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee in support of Senate Bill 1534; April 5, 2023)

TMA Urges House Budget Writers to Fund Physician Workforce Programs
(TMA Written Testimony by Gary Floyd, MD, to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Article III, Feb. 21, 2023)

TMA Seeks Funding for Graduate Medical Education, Rural Physician Programs
(TMA Written Testimony by Rodney B. Young, MD, to Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Feb. 7, 2023)

TMA Urges Comprehensive Rural Health Care Reform Amid Workforce Shortages
(Interim Written Testimony by Adrian Billings, MD, to the House Committee on Public Health, Sept. 14, 2022)

Health Information Technology

TMA Troubled by Bill to Change Medical Record Ownership, Other Proposals
(TMA Written Testimony to the House Committee on Public Health in opposition to House Bill 3468 by Rep. Giovanni Capriglione; April 17, 2023)

Oncologist Explains Why Bill to Modify Disclosure of Test Results Would Protect Patients
(TMA Testimony by David Gerber, MD, to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee in support of Senate Bill 1467; April 12, 2023)

Legislation Changing Test-Result Disclosure Rules Would Help Physicians Support Patients
(TMA Testimony by Philip Bernard, MD, to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee in support of Senate Bill 1467; April 12, 2023)

Health Insurance

Bill Strengthens Patient Protections Against Inadequate Health Plan Networks, Directories
(TMA Testimony by Ezequiel “Zeke” Silva III, MD, to the House Committee on Insurance supporting Senate Bill 1140; May 2, 2023)

Lift Prior Authorization Restrictions for Autoimmune Disease Patients
(TMA Testimony by Tilden Childs III, MD, to the Senate Health & Human Services Committee in Support of Senate Bill 1150; April 26, 2023)

Cleanup Bill Makes Landmark “Gold Card” Law Even Better for Patients, Physicians
(TMA Testimony to the House Committee on Public Health by Christine Kean in support of House Bill 4343 by Rep. Greg Bonnen; April 17, 2023)

Bill Would Protect Physicians from Retaliation By Health Plans
(TMA Testimony to the House Insurance Committee by Ezequiel “Zeke” Silva III, MD, in support of House Bill 3195 by Rep. Greg Bonnen; April 11, 2023)

Patients Would Benefit from Bill’s Health Insurance Network Transparency Improvements
(TMA Testimony to the House Insurance Committee by Elisabeth Potter, MD, in support of House Bill 3359 by Rep. Greg Bonnen; April 11, 2023)

Legislation Would Limit Health Plan Contract Waivers so Networks Are Adequate for Patients
(TMA Testimony to the House Insurance Committee by Ezequiel “Zeke” Silva III, MD, in support of House Bill 3359 by Rep. Greg Bonnen; April 11, 2023)

Bill Would Ensure Health Insurance Networks Have Sufficient Physicians, Providers Nearby
(TMA Testimony to the House Insurance Committee by Tilden Childs III, MD, in support of House Bill 3359 by Rep. Greg Bonnen; April 11, 2023)

Bill Would Ensure Conflicting Health Insurance Processes Would Not Delay Patient Care
(TMA Testimony to the House Insurance Committee by Tilden Childs III, MD, in support of House Bill 4367 by Rep. Philip Cortez; April 4, 2023)

TMA Supports Bill to Expedite Credentialing for Medical Clinics’ Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants
(TMA testimony to the House Insurance Committee by Tony Aventa, MD, in support of House Bill 4300 by Rep. Ryan Guillen; April 4, 2023)

Legislation Would Insure Cancer Patients’ Fertility Preservation Care
(TMA testimony to the House Insurance Committee by Elisabeth Potter, MD, in support of House Bill 389 by Rep. Nicole Collier; April 4, 2023)

TMA Backs Bill to Ensure Health Insurers are Complying with Regulations and Not Delaying Care
(TMA testimony to the House Insurance Committee by Tony Aventa, MD, in support of House Bill 4067 by Rep. Hubert Vo; April 4, 2023)

Physicians Recommend Improvements to Bill Proposing State Insurance Marketplace
(Written testimony submitted by TMA, Texas Academy of Family Physicians, and the Texas Services Chapter of the American College of Physicians, to the House Select Committee on Health Care Reform on House Bill 700; March 30, 2023)

TMA Backs Bill to Improve Monitoring for Adequate Insurance Networks, Other Patient Protections
(TMA testimony by Tilden Childs III, MD, to the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services supporting Senate Bill 1140; March 29, 2023)

TMA Concerned Legislation Emphasizes Health Plan Effects Over Patients’ Concerns
(TMA testimony to the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services against Senate Bill 1581 by Sen. Paul Bettencourt; March 29, 2023)

Bill Would Remove Protections in Physician Ranking by Health Plans
(TMA testimony presented by Pradeep Kumar, MD, in opposition to House Bill 3351 in the House Insurance Committee; March 28, 2023.)

Legislation Would Improve Patients’ Access to Prescription Medicines
(TMA testimony presented by Pradeep Kumar, MD, in support of House Bill 1647 in the House Insurance Committee; March 28, 2023.)

TMA Endorses Bill to Reduce Prior Authorization Delays for Patients
(TMA testimony presented by Pradeep Kumar, MD, in support of House Bill 755 in the House Insurance Committee; March 28, 2023.)

Principles for a Texas-Run Health Insurance Marketplace and Health Care Innovation Waiver (Letter by TMA / Health Care Stakeholders / Health Insurance Stakeholders; March 27, 2023)

TMA Opposes Proposal to Legislate Direct-Payment Rates
(TMA testimony presented by Zeke Silva III, MD, in opposition to House Bill 633, in the House Select Committee on Health Care Reform; March 23, 2023.)

Bill Would Address Copay Accumulators, Which Are Bad for Patients and Their Finances
(TMA testimony presented by Zeke Silva III, MD, in favor of House Bill 999 to the House Select Committee on Health Care Reform; March 23, 2023.)

Bill Would Strengthen Prudent Layperson Standard in Emergency Care
(Testimony by Douglas Jeffrey, MD, for TMA and the Texas College of Emergency Physicians to the House Insurance Committee, in support of House Bill 1236 by Rep. Tom Oliverson; March 21, 2023)

TMA Fears Bill Would Lower Health Insurance Value, Weaken Consumer Protections
(TMA Testimony by Doug Curran, MD, to the House Select Committee on Health Care Reform, Against House Bill 1001, March 16, 2023)

Minimize Prescription Delays for Mental Illness Patients
(TMA Testimony by Tony Aventa, MD, Re: House Bill 1337 to the House Insurance Committee, March 14, 2023)

Physicians Call for 12-Month Contraceptives Coverage to Improve Access
(TMA Written Testimony by J. Scott Simpson, MD, to the House Committee on Insurance, March 14, 2023)

TMA Proposes Five Goals to Improve Health Care Access Affordability in Texas
(Interim Testimony by John Carlo, MD, to the House Select Committee on Health System Reform, Aug. 5, 2022)

Medicaid

Physicians Seek 12 Months’ Postpartum Coverage for Women
(TMA Written Testimony by Doug Curran, MD, to the House Select Committee on Health Care Reform, House Bill 12, March 16, 2023)

Public Health

Stripping All Potential Actions Against a Pandemic Spike Takes Important Tools from Prevention Toolbox
(TMA/TPS Testimony by Michelle C. Gallas, DO, to the House State Affairs Committee, Against Senate Bill 29, May 10, 2023)

Bill Undermines Physicians’ Ability to Protect Patients, Threatens Patients’ Access to Care
(Testimony by Michelle C. Gallas, DO, for TMA and several other physicians'/health care organizations to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee in opposition to House Bill 44, May 10, 2023)

Physicians Support Bill to Increase Firearm Safety, Prevent Firearm Violence
(TMA and TPS testimony by Tilden Childs III, MD, to the House Select Committee on Community Safety in favor of House Bill 853; April 4, 2023)

Cleanup Bill Would Switch Human Trafficking CME to TMB Oversight
(TMA Testimony by John Carlo, MD, to the House Public Health Committee in Support of House Bill 454; April 3, 2023)

Legislation Would Improve HIV Testing, Reduce Disease Spread
(TMA Testimony by John Carlo, MD, to the House Public Health Committee in Support of House Bill 2235; April 3, 2023)

TMA Recommends Improvements to House Gender-Affirming Care Bill
(TMA Written Testimony by Gary Floyd, MD, to the House Public Health Committee on House Bill 1686; March 27, 2023)

TMA Opposes Proposal to Limit Public Health Protections Against Infectious Diseases
(TMA testimony by Andrew J. Widmer, MD, to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, in opposition to Senate Bill 1024; March 22, 2023)

Bill Could Threaten Patients’ Access to Care, Hinder Physicians’ Ability to Protect Patients
(Testimony by TMA and several other physicians' and health care organizations in opposition to House Bill 44, to the Texas House Public Health Committee, March 20, 2023)

Limiting Local Government Action Against Pandemic Spikes Could Threaten Public Health
(TMA Testimony by Valerie Smith, MD, to Senate State Affairs Committee, Against Senate Bill 29, March 20, 2023)

Bill Could Help Protect Children from Social Media’s Ills
(TMA Testimony by Brian Dixon, MD, to the House Select Committee on Youth Health and Safety, Supporting House Bill 18, March 20, 2023)

Physicians Concerned Bill Would Redefine Informed Consent and Could Put Employers, Physicians at Risk
(TMA Testimony by Donald K. Murphey, MD, to the House Public Health Committee, Opposing House Bill 81, March 20, 2023)

TMA Suggests Improvements to Gender-Affirming Care Bill
(TMA Written Testimony by John Carlo, MD, to the Senate State Affairs Committee, on Senate Bill 14, March 16, 2023)

TMA Backs Syringe Exchange Programs to Curb Disease Spread, Substance Use Disorders
(TMA Written Testimony to the House County Affairs Committee, House Bill 1403, March 15, 2023)

TMA Suggests Improvements to Bill to Provide Asthma Medication in Schools
(TMA Written Testimony Re: Senate Bill 294 by Sen. Nathan Johnson to the Senate Committee on Education, March 8, 2023)

House Select Committee on Health Reform_TMA/TPS
(Interim Testimony by Valerie Smith, MD,  TMA/TPS to the House Select Committee on Health Reform, Oct. 3, 2022)

Select Committee on Healthcare Reform TWHC
(Interim Testimony from the Texas Women’s Healthcare Coalition to the Select Committee on Healthcare Reform, Oct. 3, 2022)

Texas Public Health Coalition Testimony to the House Select Committee on Health Care Reform
(Interim Written Testimony from the Texas Public Health Coalition to the House Select Committee on Health Care Reform, Oct. 3, 2022)

Combatting Opioid-Related Deaths Requires New Approach, TMA Tells Lawmakers
(Interim Written Testimony by C.M. Schade, MD, to the House Committee on Public Health, Sept. 13, 2022)

Department of State Health Services Stakeholder Briefing – Legislative Appropriations Request
(Interim Testimony by Valeri Smith, MD, and Stakeholders to the Texas Department of State Health Services, July 26, 2022)

 Maternal Health

Allowing 12-Month Contraceptives Coverage Benefits Women, Families
(Testimony by TMA and other physicians' organizations to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee in support of House Bill 916, May 10, 2023)

Physicians Seek Adequate State Funding for Texas Mothers, Children
(TMA Testimony by Jackson Griggs, MD, to the Senate Finance Committee – Senate Bill 1, Article II Hearing, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Feb. 21, 2023)

 Mental Health

TMA Renews Call for Adolescent Mental Health Support to Avoid Gun Violence
(Testimony by Lauren K. Gambill, MD, for TMA and the Texas Pediatric Society to the House Select Committee on Community Safety, in support of House Bill 2780 by Rep. Jeff Leach; March 21, 2023. The bill is the companion legislation to Senate Bill 728, heard in the Senate State Affairs Committee on March 3, 2023)

TMA Calls for Adolescent Mental Health Support to Avoid Gun Violence
(TMA Testimony by Lauren K. Gambill, MD, Re: Senate Bill 728 to the Senate Committee on State Affairs, March 2, 2023)

 Tobacco

Bill Would Prohibit Tobacco Use on Campuses
(TMA, TPS, and TPHC testimony by Maria Monge, MD, to the House Select Committee on Community Safety in favor of House Bill 3124; April 10, 2023)

 Vaccines

Physicians Recommend Health Care Provisions to Protect Vulnerable Patients in Vaccine Legislation
(Testimony by Jimmy Widmer, MD, on behalf of TMA and TPS to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, Third Called Special Session of the 88th Texas Legislature, on Senate Bill 7; October 10, 2023)

TMA Advises Lawmakers of Positives and Challenges in Vaccine Research Bill
(TMA testimony submitted on Senate Bill 403 to the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services; March 22, 2023. The bill is companion legislation to House Bill 1313, heard in the House Public Health Committee on March 20, 2023.)

Physicians Caution Redefinition of Informed Consent Could Harm Patients, Employers, Physicians
(TMA testimony by Andrew J. Widmer, MD, to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, in opposition to Senate Bill 177; March 22, 2023. The bill is companion legislation to House Bill 81, heard in the House Public Health Committee on March 20, 2023)

TMA Weighs Pros and Cons of Vaccine Research Proposal
(TMA testimony submitted on House Bill 1313 to the House Committee on Public Health; March 20, 2023)

Scope of Practice

TMA Opposes Bill to Remove Hospitals’ Independence to Choose Which Podiatrists, Physicians Have Privileges
(TMA Testimony by Tilden Childs III, MD, to the House Committee on Public Health in opposition to House Bill 1767; May 1, 2023)

Bill Could Undermine Agencies’ Authority to Stop Licensing Law Violations
(TMA Testimony by Tilden Childs III, MD, to the House Committee on Public Health in opposition to House Bill 724; May 1, 2023)

Nurse Scope Expansion Bill Could Raise Utilization, Patient Costs
(TMA Testimony by Theresa Tran, MD, to the House Committee on Public Health in opposition to House Bill 4404; April 17, 2023)

Allowing APRNs Independent Unsupervised Practice is Inferior to Physician-Led Team-Based Care
(TMA Testimony by Jimmy Widmer, MD, to the House Committee on Public Health in opposition to House Bill 4404; April 17, 2023)

TMA Opposes Nurse Compact Bill to Expand APRNs’ Scope of Practice
(TMA Testimony by Tilden Childs III, MD, to the House Committee on Public Health in opposition to House Bill 4404; April 17, 2023)

TMA and THA Opposition to HB 1767
(TMA/THA: Concern Regarding Potential Legislation to Mandate Hospital Privileges for Podiatrists, Feb. 6, 2023)

Telemedicine

Legislation Seeks to Preserve Telehealth Payments
(TMA Testimony by Thomas Kim, MD, to the House Committee on Insurance in Support of House Bill 1726; April 25, 2023)

Preserving Telehealth Gains Requires Payment, Paperwork Parity
(Interim Written Testimony on HB 4 by TMA to the House Committee on Public Health, Sept. 13, 2022)

Texas Medical Board

Bill Would Lower Physicians’ Medical Licensing Standards
(TMA Written Testimony by Gary Floyd, MD, to the House Public Health Committee, in Opposition to House Bill 1340; April 24, 2023)

TMA Asks House Budget Subcommittee for Sufficient TMB Funding
(TMA Testimony by Andrew J. Widmer, MD, to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Articles VI, VII, and VIII, Feb. 22, 2023)

TMA Urges Adequate Funding for Texas Medical Board
(Written Testimony by Zachary S. Jones, MD, to the Senate Finance Committee, Re: TMB Article VIII, Feb. 15, 2023)