When the state legislature establishes policies, the implementation of those policies becomes the responsibility of state agencies. The details of these agency implementation plans are critically important to counties. Texas state agencies are currently preparing implementation plans on matters that affect county budgets and taxpayers.
TxDOT Rural Plan
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is developing a rural component to its recently adopted Statewide Long‑Range Transportation Plan and is asking county officials and others to help in developing this blueprint for how Texas addresses its future rural transportation needs. According to TxDOT:
This rural component, known as the Texas Rural Transportation Plan (TRTP), will be the foundation for many rural planning efforts underway at TxDOT and will include the efforts of local, regional, and federal transportation partners. The plan will also include a needs assessment through 2035 for all modes of the state’s rural transportation system, including highways, rail, water ports, airports, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, pipelines and Intelligent Transportation Systems, and a prioritized list of rural added-capacity projects.
Because transportation is important to all Texans, we encourage comments, questions, and feedback about the plan. An outline of the process for developing the TRTP and other details are available at http://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/TXDOT/2011/10/18/file_attachments/62705/TxDOT%20Texas%20Rural%20TransportationPlan%202035%20Newsletter_August%202011%20smaller%20file.pdf.
Additional information can be found on the TxDOT website: www.txdot.gov, search word “rural plan.” We encourage you to review this information and provide your feedback.
Public meetings on the plan will be held around the state in February 2012, and TxDOT anticipates submitting the TRTP for public hearing and adoption by the Texas Transportation Commission in spring 2012.
HHSC Medicaid Plan
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is preparing a plan to implement a statewide expansion of Medicaid managed care, pursuant to legislation and a federal waiver. This will place all Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program participants into a HMO-type system. It also will create Regional Healthcare Partnerships to distribute funds for uncompensated care for hospitals and other providers. This Medicaid 1115 Waiver Plan will seriously affect hospital clinics, physicians, pharmacies, and other health care providers. Counties that have implemented an Upper Payment Limit agreement with local hospitals will be immediately affected. All counties will be included in a Regional Healthcare Partnership. The RHP will determine the distribution of Medicaid funds within the region.
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission plans to hold meetings on this plan during the spring and implement the plan by August. Additional information is available at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission website, www.hhsc.state.tx.us.
For more information, please call me at 1-800-733-0699.