SENATE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
COMMITTEE:
State Affairs
TIME & DATE:
9:00 AM, Wednesday, March 26, 2008
PLACE:
E1.012 (Hearing Room)
CHAIR:
Senator Robert Duncan
The Senate Committee on State Affairs will hold an interim hearing on
Wednesday, March 26th at 9:00 a.m. in room E1.012 of the Capitol
Extension.
 
The Committee will hear invited and public testimony on issues relating to
Charge #2:  Study and make recommendations for reducing the number of
uninsured Texans, focusing on the following:
Options to increase access to private health insurance, including 3 Share
programs, employer sponsored plans and portable, individual insurance;
Incentives for encouraging counties and local governments to participate
in private health insurance cost sharing for their respective residents;
Options to reduce the health care premiums, including creation of special
plans with increased deductibles and catastrophic coverage;
Implementation and possible expansion of health services districts;
Other state programs for increasing market-based coverage of the
uninsured, including costs and effectiveness;
Options that will increase consumer choice and personal responsibility;
and Analysis of state and federal regulations that contribute to higher
premium costs.
 
The Committee will also hear invited and public testimony on Charge #3:  
Study and make recommendations relating to the Texas Health Insurance Risk
Pool, including the current eligibility for coverage requirements, the
economic profiles of participants and former participants, the
affordability of the insurance products' premiums and deductibles, and the
public's awareness of the Pool.