The Collin County Observer

This last Monday was the first meeting of a task force on regionalizing indigent health care in North Texas. The task force is made up of all the county commissioners, CEO's of non-profit hospitals and State Representatives in the 19 county Health Region 3.

The mission of the committee is to report to the legislature on region-wide approaches to providing indigent health care.

While much of the discussion at the first meeting was constructive (and enlightening), I was put off by Rep. Jodie Laubenberg's opening statement that no members of the public would be permitted to address the committee.

I spoke to Ms. Laubenberg after the meeting and she repeated that there would be no opportunities for public input. I then wrote her the following letter. Her reply follows.

From: Bill Baumbach
Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2007 1:03 AM
To: Jodie Laubenberg
Subject: Regional Health Care Task force

Ms. Laubenberg,

I want to revisit the conversation I had with you after the Task Force meeting on Monday.

I mentioned that I thought the Task Force had made some progress towards bringing together some of the different stakeholders in Health District 3. I asked you to have your office update me on future meeting schedules and agendas.

When I said that I was looking forward to the public hearing phase of the Task Force meetings, you replied that there would be no public hearings - that the purpose of the Task Force was to allow only "policy makers" to participate.

You further asserted that HB 3154 made no provision for public hearings.

I must respectfully disagree and protest.

First, Section 1 (b) of HB 31254 (as signed by the Governor) contains the following language - "(b) The regional health care systems review committee is created to conduct public hearings regarding, and to study the implications of, implementing regional health care service to address indigent health care in the region."

Section 1 (d) begins with the following -
"(d) In conducting hearings and studies,..."

The "Bill Analysis", written by the Senate Research Center re-states the language of the bill - "(b) Provides that the regional health care systems review committee is created to conduct public hearings regarding, and to study the implications of, implementing regional health care service to address indigent health care in the region."

I think the meaning of the Act is clear. The Task Force is to hold public hearings. In fact, by being listed first, I would maintain that holding hearings is it's PRIMARY purpose.

Second, You stated that only policy makers would be allowed to participate. I believe that creates a fundamental unfairness. Notably absent on the Task Force are 3 major stake holders who should be included in the discussion:

1. the indigent

2. private and charitable clinics already providing care

3. the taxpayer who will ultimately pay for any changes or lack of changes.

Rep. Laubenberg, I ask you to reconsider your position on holding open meetings, and I ask you to publicly publish schedules and agenda for the Task Force.

I look forward to your reply,

Respectfully,

Bill Baumbach

From: Jodie Laubenberg
Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2007 3:06 PM
To: Bill Baumbach
Subject: RE: Regional Health Care Task force

Bill,

Thank you for your email. Please let me clarify the issue. I was the author of HB 3154. I know the intent and purpose of this legislation. All meetings are open to the public. However, because there is no specific legislation filed, there will not be outside testimony beyond the parameters of those participants as outlined in HB 3154.

Sincerely,

Jodie Laubenberg

Laubenberg is wanting to use tired old "good old boys" tactics to solve the real human issues of health care for our poor and uninsured. These meetings need to be advertised and they need to allow for public input.

Bill