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TTC-69 Public Hearing
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Craddick names Zerwas to the Medicaid Reform Legislative Oversight Committee
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 21, 2007
Brad Westmoreland
(512) 463-0657
AUSTIN – Yesterday, Speaker Tom Craddick (R - Midland) announced the
appointment of Rep. John Zerwas (R - Katy) to the Medicaid Reform Legislative
Oversight Committee.
"As a physician, Rep. Zerwas brings firsthand knowledge of what its like to work in
medicine and what must be done to reform Texas' Medicaid program," Speaker Craddick
said. "As a first term legislator, Rep. Zerwas has shown a remarkable grasp of the issues,
and I have full confidence in his abilities."
The Medicaid Reform Legislative Oversight Committee was created by Senate Bill 10 to
facilitate the reform efforts by the 80th Legislature in regard to the Medicaid
program. The committee will oversee the process of addressing the issues of
uncompensated hospital care, and the establishment of market driven programs
addressing the uninsured. Specifically, the committee will facilitate the design and
development of any Medicaid waivers needed to affect reform and facilitate a smooth
transition from existing Medicaid payment systems and benefit designs to a new model of
Medicaid enabled by waiver or policy change by the Health and Human Services
Commission.
The committee will consist of eight members, four members of the Senate appointed by
the Lieutenant Governor and four members of the House appointed by the Speaker of the
House of Representatives. The Lieutenant Governor also assigns a Presiding Officer. The
committee will submit a report to the Legislature not later than November 15, 2008.
"I'm deeply appreciative of Speaker Craddick's confidence to appoint me to this very
important oversight committee," Rep. Zerwas. "The provisions of Senate Bill 10 have the
potential to improve and transform our Medicaid program in a dramatic fashion. I look
forward to serving the State of Texas in this capacity."
Dr. John Zerwas is in his first term representing the 28th District in the Texas House of
Representatives. Currently, he is the only physician serving in the House. He is a member
of the Appropriations Committee, the House Administration Committee and serves as the
Chair of Budget and Oversight for the Land and Resource Management Committee.
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