Lakey Named Commissioner of State Health Services

Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Albert Hawkins has announced the selection of Dr. David L. Lakey as commissioner of the Department of State Health Services.

Dr. Lakey currently is chief of infectious disease and medical director of the Center for Pulmonary and Infectious Disease Control at the University of Texas Health Center in Tyler. He has been a faculty member there since 1998.  [DSHS Commissioner]

 

Texas Increases Key Immunization Rate 11% in National Survey

The immunization rate for Texas children increased 11 percent in 2005, moving the state up in the national rankings to No. 24, according to statistics released today by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [Immunization Rate]

Workers With Disabilities Now Can Buy Medicaid Benefits

Texas workers with disabilities now can apply for extended health insurance benefits even if their income exceeds traditional Medicaid limits. The new Medicaid Buy-In program began Sept. 1.

"Under the traditional program, a worker who has a disability sometimes had to choose between a higher-paying job without insurance or staying in a lower-paying job to keep their Medicaid coverage," said Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Albert Hawkins. "This new program eliminates that difficult decision and allows workers to earn more without the fear of losing their health-care coverage." [Medicaid Buy-In]

Survey Finds 251,000 Katrina Evacuees Remain in Texas

A comprehensive survey released by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission found that 251,000 Hurricane Katrina evacuees remain in Texas, and many have significant employment, housing and health-care needs. The survey, conducted by the Gallup Organization, was based on interviews with 6,415 families and offers the most extensive look to date of the needs of evacuees still living in Texas.

[News release]  
[Katrina survey] 

Consolidated Budget and Legislative Appropriations Requests  

Fiscal Years 2008-09 Consolidated Budget and Legislative Appropriations Requests for the state's health and human services agencies:  

New Requirement for Medicaid

A new federal law requires states to begin verifying the citizenship and identity of people applying for or receiving Medicaid. This new requirement does not change who is eligible to receive services. HHSC will begin applying the new requirement July 1, 2006, for current Medicaid clients during their regular recertification process. HHSC is sending a letter to all Medicaid clients in June explaining the requirement. Clients will receive an additional reminder in their renewal packet.  New law

Texans Want New Ways to Apply for State Services

HHSC is adding new ways for Texans to apply for services such as Medicaid and Food Stamps. The state currently relies on a system as old and out-dated as the Selectric typewriter. By upgrading technology and creating new ways to apply for services, we will save $646 million in taxpayer money over the next five years and make it easier for Texans to apply for vital services. [New ways to apply] [Learn more about the new eligibility system]