Health Care Links
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Center for Public Policy Priorities The Center for Public Policy Priorities is a non-partisan, non-profit policy research organization committed to improving public policies and private practices that influence the economic and social prospects and conditions of individuals, families, and communities.
Children's Partnership "Putting Express Lane Eligibility into Practice" describes how states can take advantage of the fact that most children are enrolled in other public programs, and have already submitted extensive eligibility information. The guidebook provides a how-to for states wishing to implement Express Lane Eligibility and is available online in PDF format at http://www.childrenspartnership.org.
Department of Aging and Disability Services The DADS mission is to provide a comprehensive array of aging and disability services, supports, and opportunities that are easily accessed in local communities. Key responsibilities to the citizens of Texas include:
- Working in partnership with consumers, caregivers, service providers, and other stakeholders;
- Developing and improving service options that are responsive to individual needs and preferences;
- Ensuring and protecting self-determination, consumer rights, and safety.
DHS Community Care Program Rules Community Care/Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Rules page
Expanding Employment-Based Health Coverage Lessons from Six State and Local Programs: This report from the Commonwealth Fund provides an in-depth look at selected state and local programs. A companion piece to the Fund's "State and Local Initiatives to Enhance Health Coverage for the Working Uninsured" study, this report describes six state and local programs in greater detail.
Freedom Initiative Home Page: The New Freedom Initiative was announced by President Bush on February 1, 2001, followed up by Executive Order 13217 on June 18, 2001. The initiative is a nationwide effort to remove barriers to community living for people of all ages with disabilities and long-term illnesses. It represents an important step in working to ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to learn and develop skills, engage in productive work, choose where to live and participate in community life.
Health Insurance Coverage in America: 1999 Data Update This Kaiser Family Foundation chart book provides the latest information on health insurance coverage. It includes trends and major shifts in coverage and a profile of the uninsured population.
Kaiser Health Information Network Family Foundation recently launched http://www.kaisernetwork.org, a free online service that brings key health policy information to policymakers, journalists and the health care community. The Kaiser Health Information Network includes three daily online reports on health policy, HIV/AIDs, and reproductive health, in addition to Kaiser First Edition, a first look at the morning papers with a round up of health policy headlines from across the country. HealthCast will also provide regular "webcasting" video and audio coverage of important health events in Washington, DC and across the country, including congressional hearings, meetings, and press conferences.
Kaiser Media Fellowships in Health: The Kaiser Family Foundation
KidNeeds: find professional opinions, articles of interest on important topics, links to programs and services, explore opportunities to connect with other caring families and friends, and purchase a wide range of products specifically tailored for children with special needs. KidNeeds.com is a subsidiary corporation of St. Mary's Healthcare System for Children in New York.
Making Children a Priority Recommendations for Improving Services for Children with Disabilities in Texas-Submitted to Texas Legislature & Albert Hawkins, Executive Commissioner, Texas Health and Human Services Commission As required by House Bill 1478 by the Children's Policy Council September 1, 2004 printable Adobe Acrobat version
Medicaid Preferred Drug List Program The Texas Vendor Drug Program announces the implementation of a Medicaid Preferred Drug List (PDL).
Medicare and Prescription Drugs This fact sheet from the Kaiser Family Foundation includes updated information on current sources of drug coverage for Medicare beneficiaries, characteristics of beneficiaries who lack drug coverage, and provides data on prescription drug use and spending
Medicare at a Glance This Kaiser Family Foundation fact sheet, updated in February 2001, provides a basic overview of the Medicare program, including how it is financed, who is eligible, and what benefits are covered under Medicare.
Monitoring Medicare+Choice: How Salient is Choice to Medicare Beneficiaries? Fast Facts #5 This Mathematica Policy Research fact sheet shows that surprisingly few Medicare+Choice beneficiaries actively examine their choices in health coverage, though choice is somewhat more relevant for subgroups of vulnerable beneficiaries.
New Medicaid Data: from 21 States Find Recent Enrollment Increases, The Kaiser Family Foundation
Prescription Drugs for Medicare Beneficiaries: 10 important facts
Report to the President: Prescription Drug Coverage, Spending, Utilization, and Prices From the Department of Health & Human Services April 2000
State and Local Initiatives to Enhance Health Coverage for the Working Uninsured This Commonwealth Fund study summarizes 21 state and local programs designed to help the 24 million American workers and their family members who lack health insurance. These families earn too much to qualify for public insurance programs or work for low wages at small companies that do not offer coverage.
Texas HEART Website: At the Texas HEART's website you will find a link to STARLink information. The website is a work-in-progress and is committed to keeping the information up to date and accurate. It provides valuable resources and information to consumers and others involved in assisting consumers access services in the Medicaid Managed Care system.
Texas Medicaid Program State Medicaid Overview: Medicaid in Texas -- Overview Information
TexCare Partnership: Children's health insurance to fit your budget, English and Spanish version
The Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential offers a range of programs for parents of brain-injured children.
The Public Citizen Report: "Holding Patients Hostage"concerning HMO's and Senate Leaders.
The Texas Office for Prevention of Developmental Disabilities TOPDD’s mission is to minimize the economic and human losses in Texas caused by preventable disabilities.