The Office of Health Policy and Legislative Affairs advances the education and research mission of the University of Texas Medical Branch by strengthening research, innovation, decision-making, and relationships in all matters related to health policy.
Our team works to further UTMB’s knowledge and communication on health policy issues-- including workforce, access, reimbursement, reform, and community engagement-- through data management, research, decision-support, and leadership. The Office works to advance innovative models to improve access to health care that are effective in improving health and are cost efficient.
We are very proud of the UTMB Legislative Affairs team.
Congratulations and THANK YOU for all that you do!
With about one-half of the 81st legislative session behind us, UTMB remains a central focal point for the Texas Legislature's decision making. The UT System Board of Regents made their decision last week by passing a resolution allowing UTMB to move another step toward restoration of its campus on Galveston Island. Texas Representative Craig Eiland has brokered a proposal which he outlined in HB 6 which calls for $354 million in state funding, $250 million for the required FEMA matching funds, $150 million toward the construction of a new Jennie Sealy surgical and bed tower, and $54 million for replacement of business losses.
In addition, to the anticipated $450 million FEMA funding, the package would also be contingent upon a $200 million gift from the Sealy Smith Foundation. The end result would be restoration of John Sealy Hospital Tower, new construction of the Jeannie Sealy Surgical Tower with ICU beds, surgical operating rooms, and patient care rooms, and the necessary mitigation of services from the first two floors of those properties to comply with FEMA reconstruction guidelines. Read More...
- UT System chancellor keynote speaker at commencement
- William Randolph Hearst Foundation contributes $150,000 to UTMB’s Frontera de Salud endowment