Funding the unfunded: Engaging healthcare organisations, governmental agencies and legislative processes

Abstract

When Texas faced mounting criticism over funding and access to women’s health services, officials and providers across the state addressed the issue together. During the 84th Legislative Session in 2015, healthcare stakeholders testified before health and appropriations committees that women’s healthcare in Texas was flawed and left many people confused about how to navigate a fragmented system. That year, the Texas Legislature directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to redesign the Women’s Health Program to improve access to quality services for low-income women. This paper provides perspectives from a public and academic safety-net healthcare system and a state agency on how HHSC successfully addressed critical health policy issues in the state.