Rural Hospital Advisory Committee (RHAC) Agenda

August 5, 2021 - 10:30am

Meeting Site:

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting will be conducted virtually using Microsoft Teams only.  Join the meeting here(link is external). 

Closed captioning for this meeting is available. Viewers are asked to highlight the closed captioning symbol "cc" on the bottom of their viewing screen to enable this function.

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, introductions, and opening remarks
2. American Rescue Plan Act and rural providers
3. Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) proposed rate realignment for rural hospitals participating in Medicaid
4. Directed payments programs: Modeling with outcomes by hospital class
5. Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) program update
6. Briefing on other new Medicaid supplemental payment programs under consideration
7. Community Health Access and Rural Transformation (CHART) grant update
8. Medicaid funding issues related to rural Texas hospitals
9. Public comment
10. Review of action items and agenda for November 4, 2021, meeting  
11. Adjourn

Public Comment: The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) welcomes public comments pertaining to topics related to eligibility, health and medical care services and policies that govern the administration of the Texas Medicaid program. Members of the public who would to provide public comment are asked to complete a Public Comment form here(link is external).  

Members of the public who would like to provide written public comment to HHSC may email Caroline Sunshine at Caroline.Sunshine@hhs.texas.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 3, 2021. Please include your name and the organization you are representing, or that you are speaking as a private citizen. Staff will not read written comments aloud during the meeting, but comments will be forwarded to State staff and Committee members for their consideration. Comments should not include confidential information or protected health information.

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., Tuesday, August 3, 2021. Members of the public may also use the Microsoft Teams Live Event Q&A section during the meeting to submit a request to provide public comment.  The request must contain your name and either the organization you are representing or that you are speaking as a private citizen, and your direct phone number. Do not include confidential information or protected health information in comments.

Public comment is limited to three minutes.  Each speaker must state their name and either the organization they are representing or that they are speaking as a private citizen. Public members who are using handouts are asked to provide an electronic copy in accessible PDF format. Handouts are limited to two pages (paper size: 8.5” by 11”, one side only). Handouts must be emailed to HHSC immediately after registering and include the name of the person who will be commenting. Do not include confidential information or protected health information in handouts. Staff will not read handouts aloud during the meeting, but handouts will be provided to Committee members and State staff.

Contact: Questions regarding agenda items, content, or meeting arrangements should be directed to Caroline Sunshine, Advisory Committee Coordinator, Medicaid and CHIP Services Department, 512-428-1948, Caroline.Sunshine@hhs.texas.gov.

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

People with disabilities who wish to attend the meeting and require auxiliary aids or services should contact Sunshine at 512-428-1948 or Caroline.Sunshine@hhs.texas.gov at least 72 hours before the meeting so appropriate arrangements can be made.