4/20/2020 TAHU Updates From the Capitol....

TAHU Updates From the Capitol....

On Friday, Governor Greg Abbott hosted a press conference to discuss his plan to “reopen Texas.” The Governor asserted that Texas is seeing “glimmers that the worst of COVID-19 is behind us.” You can find the press release here. 

Specifically, the Governor issued three executive orders to begin opening the Texas economy. According to the Governor, "opening Texas" must happen in stages. First, openings - including those announced Friday - must be activities that propose minimal or no threat. The Governor will announce further openings on Monday, April 27th. More openings will be announced in May, when it is determined that the infection rate for COVID-19 continues to decline, that hospital beds are available, and that testing capacity is moving forward. 

The Governor’s first executive order (GA-17) establishes the Strike Force to Open Texas. Longtime business and civic leader James Huffines will be the leader of the Strike Force with former state representative, and current owner of Texas Lobby Group, Mike Toomey serving as COO. The Strike Force was "created to advise the governor on safely and strategically restarting and revitalizing all aspects of the Lone Star State—work, school, entertainment, and culture.” Strike Force advisory members include Lt. Governor Patrick, Speaker Bonnen, Attorney General Paxton, and Comptroller Hegar. Medical advisors to the Strike Force are Dr. John Hellerstedt (Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services), Dr. John Zerwas (former state representative and current Executive Vice-Chancellor for the University of Texas System), Dr. Mark McClellan (former FDA Commissioner and former USMMS Administrator), and Dr. Parker Hudson (Dell Medical School). Other members include many Texas business leaders - all are listed here. The Governor stated that the work of the Strike Force has already begun and the group is working on the next steps for Texas. Mr. Huffines noted that the group will look for the best strategies to reopen the Texas economy, while protecting the health and safety of all Texans. Further, he state that every action by the government will be informed by and based on medically sound data.

The Governor’s second executive order (GA-16) detail the select reopening of the retail sector in Texas. Under the Governor’s order, retail stores in Texas should be able to operate under a “retail to go” model, beginning on Friday, April 24th. Additionally, the Governor announced that all school classrooms will be closed for remainder of 19-20 school year. This includes K-12 and higher education institutions.

Finally, the Governor’s third executive order (GA-15) loosens restrictions on surgical procedures that have been in place. This order creates exceptions for medical procedures and surgeries that can be now be performed, provided that any procedure not reduce hospital capacity or PPE needed to address COVID-19, without a specific waiver. The Governor has stated that Texas has a generally adequate amount of hospital capacity and PPE at this time. 

Additionally, state parks will be reopened today (Monday, April 20th), but visitors must wear face coverings and masks, stay six feet apart, and no groups larger than 5 persons. In one week, Monday April 27th, the Governor will announce additional ways to open Texas. 

Q&A

• The Governor received a question on testing benchmarks. He stated that Texas will be able to have an increase in testing capacity that will provide better information about the State's infection rate. Large scale testing will become more feasible in late April or early May. New testing capacity is being provided by the private sector, and DSHS is increasing capacity in the public health sector as well (significantly) by adding new platforms. Dr. Hellerstedt stated that he was starting to see a more reliable supply of swab kits for testing, as an example. 
• Asked about advice he would give to employees and their employers, the Governor state that employees should not be coerced into returning to work. An employee should be assured that their employers are using very best strategies. 
• Asked about how this impacts the Governor’s previous order to stay at home, the Governor said that today’s announcement would create additional exceptions to that order. On April 27th, the Governor will issue additional orders, including possibly eliminating statewide "stay at home” provisions. If that happened to be the case, the State would revert to the Governor’s previous guidance (which prohibited gatherings of more than 10).

For Governor Abbott’s executive orders and waivers, click here.

For Insurance Commissioner Kent Sullivan’s industry guidance and bulletins, click here.

Department of State Health Services’s dashboard on COVID-19.

Finally, at the federal level, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance to ensure Americans with private health insurance have coverage of 2019 novel coronavirus diagnostic testing, including antibody testing, at no cost. Click here for more details.

Other Questions? Contact your TAHU Lobbyists at:

Mike Meroney                                                     
Shannon Meroney
512-499-8880 (office) 
512-731-6615 (Shannon’s mobile)
Shannon@MeroneyPublicAffairs.com
512-589-2531 (Mike’s mobile)
Mike@MeroneyPublicAffairs.com