Quick recap

The meeting focused on legislative priorities for substance use disorder services, with Duane presenting a draft package of recommendations developed by the legislative subcommittee. The recommendations included standardizing SUD outcome measures, analyzing cost per outcome, assessing the CMHS system, reducing administrative burden, reviewing rate adequacy, examining funding braiding, analyzing continuum capacity and regional gaps, creating a clear governance structure at HHSC, and improving data on transitions of care and denials. Members discussed challenges with post-treatment follow-up data, especially for transient populations, and the need for better cross-system data sharing. Updates were shared about the upcoming HHSC Summit, including registration and agenda details. Vaughan provided information on changes to dependent children's billing rates, and Sherri announced a career fair at the TAP State Conference. The group also briefly discussed concerns about the potential impact of the SAVE Act on service eligibility.

Next steps

Anna

• Check the registration status for…

As ASAP prepares for the 90th Texas Legislative Session, we're asking every member to take a few minutes to complete our Member Policy Strategy Survey.

Your feedback will help shape not only our legislative priorities for the upcoming session, but also ASAP's broader policy framework and advocacy strategy moving forward. The Legislative Committee will meet the following week to review member input and finalize strategic priorities, so we need all responses by the end of the day on Thursday, July 17.

All questions are optional, but every response helps ensure ASAP's advocacy reflects the real-world experiences, challenges, and priorities of our members.

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Quick recap

The legislative networking group met to discuss updates and upcoming issues, with Duane reporting on recent Capitol meetings and a upcoming Senate hearing on THC product consumption and mental health services. Sherry provided detailed analysis of federal policy issues, including inconsistencies in President Trump's drug control strategy and proposed changes to 2 CFR regulations that could restrict federal funding for prevention programs and give administration officials broad discretion to cancel grants. The group discussed challenges with THC vaping among youth, including severe mental health impacts and combination with other substances, while Guillermo emphasized the importance of considering both federal and state perspectives in advocacy efforts. Additional topics included concerns about managed care organization communication practices and rate changes that affect providers, with Duane offering to help address these issues through legislative or regulatory channels.

Next steps

Anna

• Submit comments for the HHS RFI by the weekend and include…

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…