March 2, 2009
 

 
81st Legislative Session Contacts
  

By Timothy L. Beck, MD
President, Texas Orthopaedic Association

It's that time again!  We will need your assistance during the 81st Texas legislative session. Please select one of the several key contact survey options that will help us know which Texas legislators YOU know. You may print out the section below and fax it back to the TOA staff at 866-864-1568 or you may click here to download, print out and fax back

the PDF file to the TOA staff or you may simply click here and fill out the Key Contact survey online. (Online password is 03-02-kcsurvey)

Texas Orthopaedic Association Legislative Survey:
KEY CONTACTS

NAME:  _______________________________________________________
 
HOME ZIP+4:  _______________-________

We need your voting address (home address) if you don't know your nine-digit zip code. If you will provide us your home address, we will update our database which will match you to your District and let you know your representatives.

Name of your State Senator _____________________________________ Dist# _______

Name of your Representative_____________________________________ Dist# _______

(You can find the above information on the TOA website under the "My Account" menu - then by clicking on TX District Finder.)  Please note - information that may not be up to date nor 100% accurate if we do not have your home address plus your ZIP+4 - which you may update with the link provided either there or under "My Account" then "Update Your Information".
A key contact program is a successful method of keeping legislators informed of important TOA political issues. Do you know any Texas legislators (on the state or national level) personally?  Yes____ No____

I know Senator ______________________________well enough to contact personally.

_________ I contributed to his/her campaign
_________ I worked actively in his/her campaign
_________ I am his/her personal physician
_________ Other reasons you know this legislator…please explain:

____________________________________________________________________________
 
_________ I am willing to serve as a Key Contact for this legislator.

I know Representative _________________________well enough to contact personally.
_________ I contributed to his/her campaign
_________ I worked actively in his/her campaign
_________ I am his/her personal physician
_________ Other reasons you know this legislator…please explain:

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________
 
_________ I am willing to serve as a Key Contact for this legislator.

I don't know any Texas legislators but I would be willing to cultivate a relationship (i.e. letters, phone calls, etc.) Y _____ N _____
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Texas District By District: Dan Patrick
     

Dan Patrick campaigned on standing up for both fiscal and social conservative values.  In the 80th Legislative Session, he kept his word.

On financial matters, Dan walked the talk as he ranked the lowest in office spending out of all 31 senators.  He only spent 62% of his Senate budget, returning over $165,000 to the taxpayers.  He voted against busting the constitutional cap on spending and was one of only a few who voted against the $164 billion budget because he believed there

was no effort by the legislature to reduce spending.

On social issues, Dan made history when he passed legislation to permanently place "In God We Trust" in the Senate.  He also passed the senate bill to place the words "Under God" in the state pledge.

Working across the aisle, even on controversial bills, is one of Dan's strengths. He demonstrated this by garnering the support of three members of the opposing party on a bill requiring doctors to provide an ultrasound to a patient seeking an abortion.

Dan received numerous awards for his work in the 80th Session.  He was named Freshman of the Year by the District Attorneys Association of Texas and was recognized by the Texas Eagle Forum, Americans for Prosperity, and the Texas Association of Business.

Monday through Thursday, Dan can be heard on the radio discussing the issues that affect all Texans on The Voice AM 700, 4:00-6:00 PM, in Houston and AM 1160, 5:00-6:00 PM, in Dallas.

Dan has been married for 33 years to Jan.  Their son Ryan is a Harris County prosecutor, and their daughter Shane graduated summa cum laude from Baylor University.  In his spare time, which is not often these days, he enjoys playing the piano and guitar.
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This Week In Texas: Mignon McGarry Memos

By Mignon McGarry
TOA Legislative Advocate
TOA Online Version: All Memos

 

February 25, 2009, Wednesday

With 96 days left in the 81st Legislative Session, 1861 House Bills and Joint Resolutions and 1126 Senate Bills and Joint Resolutions have been

filed for a grand total of 2987.  With 12 filing days left after today, expect to see that number double by March 13th, the filing deadline.

 

Last week, Rep. Jim Pitts (R-Waxahachie), House Appropriations Committee Chair, appointed subcommittees, and they started their hearings on the budget immediately.  The subcommittees include:

 

General Government – John Otto (R-Dayton) Chair; Abel Herrero (D-Robstown) Vice Chair; Betty Brown (R-Athens); Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe); and Kino Flores (D-Mission). 

 

Health & Human Services – John Zerwas (R-Katy) Chair; Dawnna Dukes (D-Austin) Vice Chair; Ellen Cohen (D-Houston); Craig Eiland (D-Texas City); and Carl Isett (R-Lubbock). 

 

Education – Scott Hochberg (D-Houston) Chair; Geanie Morrison (R-Victoria) Vice Chair; Jimmie Don Aycock (R-Killeen); Susan King (R-Abilene); and Mike Villarreal (D-San Antonio). 

 

Criminal Justice –  Debbie Riddle (R-Houston) Chair; Ruth Jones McClendon (D-San Antonio) Vice Chair; Myra Crownover (R-Denton); Joe Driver (R-Garland); and Al Edwards (D-Houston). 

 

Business & Economic Development –  Helen Giddings (D-Dallas) Chair; Drew Darby (R-San Angelo) Vice Chair; Angie Chen Button (R-Richardson); Norma Chavez (D-El Paso); and Doug Miller (R-New Braunfels). 

 

Hurricane – Craig Eiland (D-Texas City) Chair; Ellen Cohen (D-Houston); Kino Flores (D-Mission); John Otto (R-Dayton); and Debbie Riddle (R-Houston).

 

Stimulus – Myra Crownover (R-Denton) Chair; Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe); Drew Darby (R-San Angelo); Dawnna Dukes (D-Austin); and Craig Eiland (D-Texas City). 
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Pharmacy Closed Formulary Stakeholder Meeting – March 5, 2009
 

The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation (TDI-DWC), has scheduled a stakeholder meeting on Thursday, March 5th from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Central Time). The meeting will take place at the TDI-DWC Central Office, 7551 Metro Center Drive, Suite 100, Austin, Texas in the Tippy Foster Meeting Room 1.107A. (website link). TDI-DWC will audio stream the stakeholder meeting for persons who are unable to appear in person.

To listen to the audio stream of the stakeholder meeting, access the TDI-DWC Public Outreach Events /Training Calendar on the TDI website. Then click on the "Broadcast" link for the stakeholder meeting. The applications Media Player 7 (or new version) or RealPlayer 10 (or newer version) are required to hear the audio stream. Audio streaming will begin approximately five minutes before the stakeholder meeting begins.

AGENDA

Introductions

Part I - Overview of the Informal Working Draft Rules

Part II - Stakeholder discussion of issue specific topics based on informal comments

  • Apply rules to all medications so that refills during transition are covered as well

  • Licensed pharmacy limitation

  • Based on date "prescribed" or "dispensed?" Reasons?

  • Acute injury vs. chronic injury formularies

  • Statement of Medical Necessity

  • Compounding

  • Preauthorization

Part III - Further rule development and stakeholder input considerations beyond the Informal Working Draft Rules

  • Application to legacy claims

  • Long term narcotic/opioid use

Next Steps

The December 16, 2008 Informal Working Draft Rules can be found here.

TDI offers reasonable accommodations for persons attending meetings, hearings, or educational events, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require special accommodations, contact Idalia Salazar at 512-804-4403 at least of two business days prior to the public hearing date.
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