PART 15. TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION
CHAPTER 351. COORDINATED PLANNING AND DELIVERY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
SUBCHAPTER B. ADVISORY COMMITTEES
DIVISION 1. COMMITTEES
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) adopts an amendment to §351.821, concerning the Value-Based Payment and Quality Improvement Advisory Committee. The amendment to §351.821 is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the July 14, 2023, issue of the Texas Register (48 TexReg 3787). This rule will not be republished.
BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
The Value-Based Payment and Quality Improvement Advisory Committee (VBPQIAC) was established in 2016 by the HHSC Executive Commissioner, under the authority of Texas Government Code §531.012. This statute requires the HHSC Executive Commissioner to establish and maintain advisory committees; establish rules for the operation of advisory committees; and for advisory committees to provide recommendations to the HHSC Executive Commissioner and the Texas Legislature.
The VBPQIAC advises the HHSC Executive Commissioner and Texas Health and Human Services agencies (HHS agencies) on quality improvement and value-based payment initiatives for Medicaid, other publicly funded health services, and the wider health care system. The VBPQIAC consolidated the functions of the previous Medicaid and CHIP Quality Based Payment Advisory Committee and the Texas Institute of Health Care Quality and Efficiency. Members meet approximately four times a year in Austin.
In §351.821, the VBPQIAC is set to abolish on December 31, 2023. Abolition of the VBPQIAC would result in the loss of a primary source of public input for key Medicaid value-based and quality improvement programs, such as the state's Alternative Payment Models initiative. The VBPQIAC maintains strong participation from stakeholders.
The amendment extends the VBPQIAC by four years to December 31, 2027, updates membership categories by removing "Regional Healthcare Partnerships," and aligns the rule with current HHSC advisory committee rule formatting and standards.
COMMENTS
The 31-day comment period ended August 14, 2023.
During this period, HHSC did not receive any comments regarding the proposed rule.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY
The amendment is authorized by Texas Government Code §531.0055, which provides that the Executive Commissioner of HHSC shall adopt rules for the operation and provision of services by the health and human services agencies, and Texas Government Code §531.012(c)(1), which requires the Executive Commissioner to adopt rules consistent with Texas Government Code Chapter 2110 to govern an advisory committee's report requirements.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on October 6, 2023.
TRD-202303732
Karen Ray
Chief Counsel
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Effective date: October 26, 2023
Proposal publication date: July 14, 2023
For further information, please call: (512) 380-4372