November 2, 2020 - 10:00am

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Agenda

Meeting Site:
Microsoft Teams Live

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting will be conducted online using Microsoft Teams only. Join the meeting here.

There is not a physical location for this meeting.

Attendees who would like to provide public comment should see the Public Comment section below.

1. Welcome and opening remarks
2. Review and approve September 2, 2020, meeting minutes
3. State agency updates
   1. Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program
   2. Office of the Ombudsman
   3. Texas Department of Insurance
4. The State of Parity presentation by David Lloyd, Senior Policy Advisor, Kennedy Forum
5. Subcommittee reports and approval of the Mental Health Condition and Substance Use Disorder Parity Workgroup Statewide Strategic Plan
   1. Compliance, enforcement, and oversight
   2. Complaints, concerns, and investigations
   3. Education and awareness
   4. Approval of the strategic plan (vote required)
6. Public comment
7. Planning for next meeting and action items
8. Closing remarks

Public comment may be taken on any agenda item.

Public Comment: HHSC welcomes public comments pertaining to topics related to Mental Health Condition and Substance Use Disorder Parity. Members of the public who would like to provide public comment are asked to complete a Public Comment Form at http://texashhsmeetings.org/Parity_PCReg_Nov2020.

Members of the public are encouraged to participate in this process by providing written public comment to HHSC by emailing Andrea Elizondo, Policy Analyst, Office of Mental Health Coordination, at MH_Parity@hhsc.state.tx.us no later than 5:00 p.m. Friday, October 30, 2020. Please include your name and either the organization you are representing or that you are speaking as a private citizen. Written comments are limited to three minutes and will be read during the meeting for consideration by the Mental Health Condition and Substance Use Disorder Parity Workgroup.

If you would like to register to provide oral comments, please mark the correct box on the Public Comment form.  Instructions for providing oral comment will be emailed to you.  Registration should be completed no later than 5:00 p.m. Friday, October 30, 2020. Members of the public may also use the Microsoft Teams Live Event Q&A section to submit a request to provide public comment.  The request must contain your name, either the name of the organization you are representing or that you are speaking as a private citizen, and your direct phone number.

Public comment is limited to three minutes. Speakers must state their name, affiliation, or if they are speaking on their own behalf.  Public members who are using handouts are asked to provide an electronic copy in accessible pdf format that will be distributed by HHS staff to Mental Health Condition and Substance Use Disorder Parity Workgroup members, State staff, and the public. Handouts are limited to two pages (paper size: 8.5” by 11”, one side only) of documentation. Handouts must be emailed to HHSC immediately after registering and include the name of the person who will be commenting.

Contact: Questions regarding agenda items, content, or meeting arrangements should be directed to Andrea Elizondo, Policy Analyst, Office of Mental Health Coordination, 512-380-4312, or MH_Parity@hhsc.state.tx.us.

This meeting is open to the public. No reservations are required, and there is no cost to attend this meeting.

Persons who want to attend the meeting and require assistive technology or services should contact Elizondo at 512-380-4312 or email MH_Parity@hhsc.state.tx.us at least 72 hours before the meeting so appropriate arrangements can be made.