By J. Lyn Carl, GalleryWatch.com
Austin, TX – After nearly nine hours of debate and almost 150 proposed amendments, the House passed legislation late Friday that affects the way the state provides health and human services to its citizens.
HB 2292 by Rep. Arlene Wohlgemuth was passed to third reading by a 74-31-1 vote, despite objections by many Democrat members over the long-term effects the bill might have on the state's neediest and most fragile residents.
The bill redefines health and human service agencies and redefines the responsibilities of the Health and Human Services Commissioner, giving the commissioner oversight over many aspect of the provision of health and human service-related services in Texas.
Although passage of the bill could result in a savings of general revenue funding, Rep. Elliott Naishtat (D-Austin) pointed out that it will also result in the loss of billions in federal funds.
"We're about to vote on a very significant piece of legislation," said Naishtat before the vote was taken. He said he had "serious concerns and reservations" about the bill.
"This bill goes too far and goes too fast," he said. "It moves Texas in the wrong direction with respect to crucial health and human services in this state." It also would result in a massive consolidation of agencies and services with "no opportunity for meaningful public input."
Naishtat said the legislation is not the result of sunset review, or of an interim study, or of the deliberation of relevant legislative committees in the House that address health and human services issues.
"It would save general revenue money," said Naishtat, "but we would lose $4 billion in federal funds over the next five years." He said it also will result in too much consolidation and too much power with the HHS Commissioner and the governor, without adequate accountability.
The Austin Democrat said the bill will result in the loss of approximately 2,000 state employees and "opens the door for wholesale privatization of front line services for our most vulnerable citizens." He said it also would eliminate local access to agency offices and cause "major, restrictive, harsh, punitive damages" to the Children's Health Insurance (CHIP) Program participants and to TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) recipients.
While agreeing that the state's delivery system for health and human services does need to be examined, Naishtat said it needs to be done in a "deliberative and responsive manner."
"This legislation is not the way to approach these problems," he said, saying it will not help the state deal with delivery of health and human services.
Despite the numerous amendments and points of order, Wohlgemuth was able to steer the bill to passage and thanked members for their "long suffering" during the daylong debate.