Background
House Bill (HB) 1874, 84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015 established the Palliative Care Interdisciplinary Advisory Council to assess the availability of patient-centered and family-focused palliative care in Texas. HB 1874 charges the council to consult with and advise the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) on matters related to the establishment, maintenance, operation, and outcome evaluation of the statewide palliative care consumer and professional information and education program.
In addition, the council must submit a biennial report assessing
- the availability of palliative care in Texas,
- barriers to greater access to palliative care and
- policies, practices, and protocols in Texas concerning patients' rights related to palliative care.
The Council will publish its first report by Oct. 1, 2016. The Palliative Care Interdisciplinary Advisory Council is codified under Chapter 118, Texas Health and Safety Code.
Members
Physician Representatives
- James Castillo II, MD, FACP, Harlingen
- Larry Driver, MD, Chair, Houston
- Robert Fine, MD, FACP, FAAHPM, Dallas
- Erin Fleener, MD, College Station
- Craig Hurwitz, MD, Austin
- Amy Moss, DO, FACOI, Grapevine
- Roger Mike Ragain, MD, Lubbock
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Representatives
- Mary Beth Kean, DNP, Pflugerville
- Erin Perez, AGNP-MSN, Live Oak
Physician Assistant Representative
- Bruce Christensen, DHSc., PA-C, San Antonio
Nurse Representative
- Lenora Carvajal Sevcik, RN, MSN, DNP, Midland
Social Worker Representative
- Barbara Jones, PhD, MSW, Vice Chair, Austin
Pharmacist Representative
- Nat Jones Jr., RPh, Spring
Spiritual Care Professional Representative
- Margaret Jones, MA, BCC, ACHPC, Garden Ridge
Advocate for Patients and Families Representatives
- Jennifer Carr Allmon, MA, Austin
- DeilaSheun Botts, RN, Cypress
- Hattie Henderson, MD, CMD, Houston
- Cam Scott, MDiv, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Round Rock
Ex-Officio Members
- Karen Hardwick, PhD, Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, Austin
- Patty Moore, PhD, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin
- Rajendra C. Parikh, MD, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Austin
- James Rogers, MD, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Austin
For Additional Information
Please email Jimmy Blanton or call 512-380-4372.