Meeting summary

Quick recap

This meeting focused on updates and discussions regarding behavioral health and substance use disorder policy in Texas. The group discussed legislative developments, including upcoming Senate Health and Human Services Committee hearings on homelessness and substance use disorder, and concerns about ketamine clinic regulations. Sherri reported on conversations with Dr. Carlos Tirado regarding telehealth restrictions for history and physical examinations in detox programs, with Duane offering to connect with Nora Cox from Texas eHealth Alliance about potential advocacy efforts. Anna provided updates on the coalition's participation in the Texas Impaired Driving Task Force and submission of comments to the Public Health Committee. The group also discussed challenges with the OSARs (Opioid Screening Assessment and Referral) system, including inconsistent performance across regions and breakdowns in transition points throughout the treatment continuum. Noelle announced plans to develop a legislative strategy list for the upcoming session and requested input from…

The Texas House Committee on Public Health will meet on Thursday, June 4 at 9:00 a.m. in Room E2.030 to hear invited and public testimony on several interim charges, including implementation of recent health legislation, telehealth, health workforce issues, federal health policy impacts, and oversight of health programs.

Written comments may also be submitted electronically.

If your organization has concerns, recommendations, or experiences that may be relevant to these topics, please consider submitting testimony or comments.

If you would like ASAP to consider incorporating your feedback into our monitoring and advocacy efforts, please post your thoughts, concerns, or recommendations in this group by Wednesday, June 3 so we have time to review them before the hearing.

Hearing information: Texas House Public Health Committee Hearing Notice

Thank you for helping ensure the provider perspective is represented.

Due to the Public Health Committee hearing scheduled for this Thursday, the ASAP Legislative Workgroup meeting will be moved one week and will instead be held on Thursday, June 11 at 9:00 a.m. CST. The recurring schedule will resume as normal in July. The zoom link remains the same.

We hope this adjustment allows members to participate in and monitor the hearing. The calendar invitation has been updated accordingly.

Thank you for your understanding

ASAP is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Legislative Networking MeetingTime: Jun 11, 2026 09:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)        Every month on the First Thu, 36 occurrence(s)Changed occurrence(s):        Jun 11, 2026 09:00 AM (updated)

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.Monthly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZ0uc-uvrToiE9Z5efZrPYiY-kbO17nyyVq6/ics?icsToken=DLNjhSex2nnnpE8JNwAALAAAADcQP2koxoh54Lt6C4tOilUy0rl7SUpqL__qpcenp93hoJy2Y-M0RnV8uM3lxxUtdTMazhuaEdQHGS9HTTAwMDAwMQ&meetingMasterEventId=hwuLgSFeRkKcHfqdB2_xiwJoin Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/89342731892Meeting chat linkhttps://us02web.zoom.us/launch/jc/89342731892Meeting ID: 893 4273 1892---One tap mobile+13462487799,,89342731892# US (Houston)+16699009128,,89342731892# US (San Jose)---Join by SIP• 89342731892@zoomcrc.comJoin…

Quick recap

The ASAP membership meeting focused on legislative updates and advocacy efforts for substance use disorder services in Texas. Duane Gallagher provided updates on upcoming meetings with HHSC's Executive Commissioner and the Texas Opioid Abatement Fund Council, while Noelle Delgado discussed potential rate increases and the need for general revenue funding. The group discussed upcoming Legislative Appropriations Request (LAR) hearings where members will be asked to testify in support of funding increases, with particular emphasis on securing exceptional items for substance use services. Several members, including Heather Ormond and Carrie Smith from Cinecore Foundation, expressed interest in participating in interim committee testimony regarding mental health and homelessness services. Sherri Layton shared updates on federal policy concerns, including funding threats from the "Big Beautiful Bill" and recent guidance on harm reduction services. The conversation ended with a reminder about participating in strategic planning discussions for Texas's behavioral health system through…