Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas — As the Texas economy maintains its lead over other states in key categories like job creation, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst today announced a set of Interim Charges intended to further strengthen the Texas workforce and find even more market-driven alternatives to the budget-busting Obamacare. He tasked the Senate Committees on Health & Human Services and Economic Development with improving access to improved services and opportunities for employees and employers throughout the state.
“Our economy is second to none and the lion’s share of the credit goes to hard-working Texans and the entrepreneurs who take the risks necessary to create jobs,” said Dewhurst. “The role of state government is to remove obstacles to economic progress and the result in Texas is the best business climate in the country. With Obamacare and its increased premiums standing in the way of even more job creation, these charges are a call for innovation that will make our job climate even more conducive to opportunity and success.”
Lt. Governor Dewhurst issued the following charges to the Senate Committees on Health & Human Services and Economic Development:
Health & Human Services
BETTER HEALTH CARE SERVICES. Lt. Governor Dewhurst asked the committee to identify cost-effective alternatives to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act that would strive to encourage cost sharing, promote personal responsibility, reduce uncompensated care costs, contain increasing health care costs, improve access to care, address access to emergency department care issues in rural areas, promote the use of existing private coverage or employee sponsored coverage, reduce non-emergency use of emergency departments, and reduce the need for federal approval to the state Medicaid plan.
TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES. Lt. Governor Dewhurst also instructed the committee to evaluate the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program structure. He asked the committee to make recommendations to improve the program’s operations and ensure the program achieves outcomes that allow TANF recipients to find employment and achieve self-sufficiency and that seek to ensure Texas is using the most effective work-related requirements and drug testing protocols.
Economic Development
UNEMPLOYMENT DRUG TESTING. Lt. Governor Dewhurst asked the committee to monitor implementation of SB 21 (83-R), which requires drug testing for unemployment insurance claimants. He also instructed the committee to investigate options to begin implementation of the rule without relying on U.S. Department of Labor regulations and make recommendations to ensure that unemployment insurance claimants are actively seeking work and not using illegal drugs.
“The Texas Miracle is a story that can happen when the state creates the best business climate in the country, where personal innovation and inspiration can mix with hard work,” concluded Dewhurst. “To maintain that path to the American Dream, we must sustain an economic climate that is rich with opportunity and based on accountability. These interim charges address key obstacles to building a workforce that is accountable, affordable and prepared for future challenges. I look forward to the committees’ findings and their positive impact on our state.”
Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst will continue to release his interim charges in the coming weeks. 83rd Session Select Interim Charges Relating to Health & Human Services and Economic Development
February 19, 2014
Health & Human Services
• Identify cost-effective alternatives to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act to better connect low income individuals to health care services through private market-based solutions, including Medicaid block grants and waivers. Recommendations should strive to encourage cost sharing, promote personal responsibility, reduce uncompensated care costs, contain increasing health care costs, improve access to care, address access to emergency department care issues in rural areas, promote the use of existing private coverage or employee sponsored coverage, reduce non-emergency use of emergency departments, and reduce the need for federal approval to the state Medicaid plan.
• Evaluate the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program structure. Make recommendations to improve the program’s operations and ensure the program achieves outcomes that allow TANF recipients to find employment and achieve self-sufficiency. Recommendations should seek to ensure Texas is using the most effective work-related requirements and drug testing protocols.
Economic Development
• Monitor implementation of SB 21 (83-R), which requires drug testing for unemployment insurance claimants. Investigate options to begin implementation of the rule without relying on U.S. Department of Labor regulations. Make recommendations to ensure that unemployment insurance claimants are actively seeking work and not using illegal drugs.
