e-Health Advisory Committee

The e-Health Advisory Committee (eHac) was established in July 2016 to advise the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHS) and HHS system executive commissioner on strategic planning, policy, rules and services related to the use of health information technology, health information exchange systems, telemedicine, telehealth and home telemonitoring services. eHAC tasks include:

• Advising on the development, implementation and long-range plans for health care information technology and health information exchange (HIE), including the use of:
  • Electronic health records (EHRs).
  • Computerized clinical support systems.
  • HIE systems for clinical and other forms of health information.
  • Other methods of incorporating health information technology (HIT) for the purposes of greater cost-effectiveness and better patient outcomes.
• Advising on the development, use, and long-range plans for telemedicine, telehealth, and home telemonitoring services.
• Advising on incentives for increasing health care provider adoption and use of EHRs and HIEs.
• Making verbal or written recommendations via regularly scheduled meetings, a designated HHSC staff liaison, or both.
• Reporting on committee meetings and recommendations made to HHS.

The eHAC consists of three subcommittees comprised of committee members with expertise in HIE, HIT, interoperability, telehealth, and behavioral health. The three subcommittees are:

• Interoperability Subcommittee
• Telemedicine, Telehealth and Telemonitoring Subcommittee
• Behavioral Health Subcommittee

Members

Mari Robinson, JD (Chair)
Representative of a health science center in Texas
(Galveston)

Phil Beckett, PhD (Vice Chair)
Representative of a local or regional health information exchange
(San Antonio)

Waridibo (Wari) E. Allison, MD
Medicaid provider or child health plan program provider
(Fort Worth)

Christine Bryan
Representative with expertise related to the implementation of electronic health records, computerized clinical support systems, and health information exchange systems for clinical and other types of health information
(San Antonio)

Dashiell Ballarta, MPAff
Representative with expertise related to the implementation of electronic health records, computerized clinical support systems, and health information exchange systems for clinical and other types of health information
(Bryan)

Nora Cox 
Expert on telemonitoring services
(Austin)

Steve Eichner
Ex officio representative from Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
(Austin)

Brad Fitzwater, MD
Ex officio representative from HHSC
(Austin)

John Gachago, DHA
Expert on telemedicine
(Lubbock)

Mario Garza, MSW, MBA
Expert on telemonitoring services
(Edinburg)

Ken Holland
Representative from the Statewide Health Coordinating Council (SHCC)
(Huntsville)

Katherine Lusk
Representative from the Texas Health Services Authority established under Chapter 182, Texas Health and Safety Code
(Fort Worth)

Sheila M. Magoon, MD
Representative of a local or regional health information exchange
(Harlingen)

Melisa McEwen
Representative of the pharmaceutical industry
(Spicewood)

Brett A. Moran, MD
Expert on telemedicine
(Dallas)

Deanna Naranjo
Ex officio representative from HHSC
(Austin)

Neema Navai, MD
Medicaid provider or child health plan program provider
(Houston)

Christopher M. Palazola
Representative from the Texas Medical Board
(Austin)

Tracy Rico, RN
Representative of a managed care organization
(San Antonio)

Kathy Shipp, MSN, APRN, FNP
Representative from the Texas Board of Nursing
(Lubbock)

Todd Unruh, RPh
Representative from the Texas State Board of Pharmacy
(Dallas)

Vacant 
Representative of consumers of health services provided through telemedicine

Meeting Dates

All meetings are held in Austin; primarily in the HHS public hearing rooms.

• March 11, 2024 (9 a.m.)
• June 17, 2024 (9 a.m.)
• Sept. 13, 2024 (9 a.m.)
• Dec. 6, 2024 (9 a.m.)

For More Information

Email HHS Health IT.