UTMB’s Legislative Priorities with Lauren Sheer, VP Health Policy & Legislative Affairs
As Texas prepares for its 89th legislative session, UTMB plays a critical role in advocating for policies that shape the future of health care and innovation. In this episode of The Pulse, Jamie Bailey, UTMB’s Executive Vice President and CFO, hosts Lauren Sheer, Vice President of Health Policy and Legislative Affairs. Together, they discuss UTMB’s legislative priorities, including formula funding for health-related institutions, the Kidney Cardiovascular Care Initiative, and the Healthy Aging and Technology Initiative. Lauren also provides a behind-the-scenes look at legislative processes and key funding challenges. Tune in to explore how UTMB is advancing its mission through legislative action and innovative programs.
- 100:00:00,840 --> 00:00:09,600Welcome to The Pulse UTMB Health podcast, your gateway to the latest insights, ideas and innovations shaping our community and beyond.200:00:10,230 --> 00:00:16,530Stay tuned for engaging discussions, compelling stories, and the information you need to stay informed and connected.300:00:16,830 --> 00:00:23,790Right here on The Pulse. Welcome to the latest episode of The Pulse.400:00:23,980 --> 00:00:28,150Uh, I'm Jamie Bailey, executive vice president and chief financial officer of UTMB.500:00:28,680 --> 00:00:32,669And, I'm your host for today's podcast. Uh, today I'm joined by a rock star at600:00:32,670 --> 00:00:38,250UTMB. Uh, Lauren Sheer, who's our vice president of health policy and legislative affairs.700:00:38,520 --> 00:00:45,570She'll be sharing some information, uh, with us related to the upcoming 89th, uh, legislative session, uh, for the state of Texas.800:00:45,960 --> 00:00:51,480Lauren, welcome to The Pulse. Thank you. Jamie, I'm not so sure about the rock star part, but I appreciate it.900:00:51,710 --> 00:00:57,690Happy to be here. Thank you. Uh, so I have a few questions that hopefully, uh, our audience will enjoy.1000:00:57,720 --> 00:01:04,680We'll start us off with a few questions here. Uh, so to kick us off, the legislative session will kick off in a little over a month.1100:01:05,130 --> 00:01:11,550What can you tell us about what's been happening at the Capitol, uh, during the interim and what to expect during the next legislative session?1200:01:11,640 --> 00:01:15,240Well, yes. The Texas legislative session begins on January 14th.1300:01:15,240 --> 00:01:21,780So quickly approaching, the Capitol has been busy during the interim preparing for the 89th legislative session,1400:01:21,960 --> 00:01:26,280with various legislative committees working on interim charges ranging from artificial1500:01:26,280 --> 00:01:31,140intelligence to monitoring the implementation of legislation passed last session.1600:01:31,650 --> 00:01:35,550State revenue for the upcoming biennium is thankfully looking very strong,1700:01:35,970 --> 00:01:44,340but it's important to note that large projects or programs such as the electric grid can tie up perceived extra funding very quickly.1800:01:44,640 --> 00:01:52,170Pre-filing for House and Senate bills began on November 12th, with more than 1,500 bills filed in the first couple of weeks.1900:01:52,530 --> 00:02:00,090Topics range from criminal justice to health care, and it gives us insight into what legislators will be tackling this upcoming session.2000:02:00,840 --> 00:02:06,060After the election, Texas Republicans maintained their majority and picked up a few seats.2100:02:06,450 --> 00:02:13,460Um, and there will be 32 new members in the House. Leadership conversations between the governor, the speaker,2200:02:13,500 --> 00:02:18,209the lieutenant governor are also going on... in terms of what priorities will be next session.2300:02:18,210 --> 00:02:25,170And, those include things such as property tax reform, educational savings accounts and shoring up the grid.2400:02:26,280 --> 00:02:33,360We're excited to enter another legislative session, and it will certainly be exciting, given this is Dr. Reiser's first session as president.2500:02:34,410 --> 00:02:39,220Yes, that should be very exciting. So you talked a lot about, uh, different actions and priorities.2600:02:39,240 --> 00:02:44,910Can you give someone like, a, uh, a layman's overview of what UTMB legislative priorities would be?2700:02:45,900 --> 00:02:52,350Yeah. So we've worked over the past year with campus leadership to develop UTMB's legislative priorities for this next session.2800:02:52,740 --> 00:02:59,370And, those will include things like our HRI formula funding and increases to UTMB's mission specific formula.2900:02:59,910 --> 00:03:04,590Investing in HRA formula funding is an investment in the future of the health of our state,3000:03:05,070 --> 00:03:09,780particularly as the state legislature looks to strengthen our state's health care workforce,3100:03:09,780 --> 00:03:12,000and an important theme discussed this interim.3200:03:12,750 --> 00:03:19,140Well, the 88th legislature did maintain rates and funded growth for the HRI or health related institutions.3300:03:19,440 --> 00:03:22,679We did not receive an increase in our rates. Formula3400:03:22,680 --> 00:03:28,080rate increases would allow the HRI's or health related institutions to adjust for inflation,3500:03:28,620 --> 00:03:34,350manage increase in cost and the evolving needs for students, research, faculty and space.3600:03:35,040 --> 00:03:40,889UTMB is mission specific formula or MSF supports UTMB's mission of providing high3700:03:40,890 --> 00:03:45,570quality health care and operating our hospitals for the Galveston and League City campuses.3800:03:46,170 --> 00:03:50,940We're looking to maintain and increase our funding for the mission specific formula,3900:03:51,270 --> 00:03:58,290looking toward our non formula items, which refer to specific projects or programs for higher ed institutions.4000:03:58,680 --> 00:04:08,520UTMB has two requests, $6 million for our Kidney Cardiovascular Care initiative and 5 million for our Healthy Aging and Technology Initiative.4100:04:08,880 --> 00:04:15,840UTMB's proposal for the Kidney Cardiovascular Care Initiative, or KCCI, will create new diagnostic,4200:04:15,840 --> 00:04:26,090preventative and therapeutic strategies to best address cardiovascular kidney metabolic syndrome, or CKM, and other resulting health concerns.4300:04:26,100 --> 00:04:32,400CKM is a multi-organ condition encompassing the kidneys, heart and blood vessels and metabolism,4400:04:32,730 --> 00:04:41,879and Texas stats such as the fact that we're home to 10.3% of the nation's end-stage kidney disease patients drives the need for why dedicated4500:04:41,880 --> 00:04:46,350support and research for this condition is critical in keeping our state healthy.4600:04:46,950 --> 00:04:56,640The initiative has three planks diagnostics, education, prevention, understanding the disease, and developing innovative diagnostics and treatments.4700:04:57,480 --> 00:05:04,410UTMB will develop screening tools to allow primary care physicians and multidisciplinary specialists to diagnose,4800:05:04,650 --> 00:05:08,880educate, and initiate preventative treatment in the clinic setting.4900:05:09,330 --> 00:05:14,340The initiative will also include a creation of the UTMB CKM Biobank,5000:05:14,340 --> 00:05:19,290which will have an extensive, de-identified clinical data to be used as a shared resource5100:05:19,390 --> 00:05:20,950for institutions across the state.5200:05:21,760 --> 00:05:30,430Further, UTMB will engage with the Seeley Institute for Drug Discovery to create new therapies to prevent progression and reverse organ injury.5300:05:31,120 --> 00:05:35,320We are also requesting funding for our Healthy Aging and Technology initiative.5400:05:37,240 --> 00:05:41,020This request, like our first, speaks to the health care needs of the state.5500:05:41,200 --> 00:05:46,090Texas has the third largest population of people age 50 years and older in the country.5600:05:46,570 --> 00:05:50,530Advances in technology have transformed the potential to live independently,5700:05:50,680 --> 00:05:54,940(called aging in place) at home to a cost effective reality.5800:05:55,480 --> 00:06:01,270The initiative will create and translate technology such as home based monitoring and robot assisted5900:06:01,270 --> 00:06:07,810devices into clinical settings and daily life to benefit elderly Texans and their families.6000:06:08,620 --> 00:06:14,710Given UTMB's expertise in aging research in geriatric care, such as the Sealy Center on Aging,6100:06:14,890 --> 00:06:21,700we are well positioned to translate emerging technologies into the clinical settings and ultimately into Texas homes.6200:06:22,570 --> 00:06:27,220These two non-formula items both focus on increasing quality of life in our state,6300:06:27,670 --> 00:06:32,680and as making sure that UTMB is serving both current and future health care needs for Texans.6400:06:33,950 --> 00:06:37,219Wow. This sounds like, uh, very important priorities for UTMB6500:06:37,220 --> 00:06:42,280and for the health care of Texas. Um, shifting gears a little bit, right.6600:06:42,290 --> 00:06:50,990So we have a large, uh, correctional managed care practice here at UTMB, and I know the legislative, uh, request for CMC is handled by TDC.6700:06:51,920 --> 00:06:56,870Uh, but we are certainly supportive of their requests and happy to provide information they need to make their case.6800:06:57,230 --> 00:07:00,560What would you say are the priorities for our correctional managed care practice?6900:07:01,460 --> 00:07:06,290Absolutely. Well, CMC is a big priority and it's, uh, 100% state-funded.7000:07:06,290 --> 00:07:09,800And so it takes a lot of time and energy for both UTMB and TDCJ.7100:07:10,340 --> 00:07:15,830Our number one priority for CMC this session is to get funding for the reconstruction of Hospital Galveston.7200:07:16,190 --> 00:07:19,280Hospital Galveston needs an astronomical amount of repairs,7300:07:19,280 --> 00:07:27,500having been built in 1983 and not having any significant improvements done until we received $20 million for repairs last session.7400:07:28,070 --> 00:07:35,810We are coming back this session with a $259 million request to complete the reconstruction and renovations for Hospital Galveston.7500:07:36,230 --> 00:07:43,970This appropriation will allow for critical infrastructure, functional and esthetic updates throughout the eight floor facility,7600:07:44,330 --> 00:07:49,880and is crucial for Hospital Galveston to be able to continue to serve the state's inmate population in the future.7700:07:50,750 --> 00:07:53,660The second item is our supplemental appropriations request.7800:07:54,110 --> 00:08:01,250A supplemental appropriations request is needed because CMC-based funding is always significantly less than projected expenses.7900:08:01,850 --> 00:08:08,360The funding shortfalls are then recovered through the subsequent legislative session in the supplemental appropriations bill process.8000:08:08,750 --> 00:08:15,469This underfunding, along with a significant TDC population growth and the high medical inflation,8100:08:15,470 --> 00:08:21,380have a combined result of needing $267 million in a supplemental need for CMC.8200:08:23,060 --> 00:08:29,299We also will have, uh... be seeking a request of $95 million in adjustment to base.8300:08:29,300 --> 00:08:38,150And this is to bring 26', 27' funding in line with the projected level expenses necessary to maintain the current level of services provided.8400:08:38,540 --> 00:08:41,030The next item is a big priority for Dr. Murray.8500:08:41,360 --> 00:08:48,140CMC has historically struggled with employee retention due to the challenging work environment and, below market salaries.8600:08:48,530 --> 00:08:55,130Salary adjustments from the legislature have helped reduce turnover some, but CMC is still experiencing a high vacancy rate.8700:08:55,670 --> 00:08:58,070For example, nursing rate is about 20%.8800:08:58,940 --> 00:09:05,150To help combat this, we are requesting $9 million to allow for the creation of the Division of Employee Retention,8900:09:05,420 --> 00:09:09,920which would seek to improve employee retention rates and decrease turnover,9000:09:10,190 --> 00:09:16,970increase employee engagement, wellness and job satisfaction, promote a culture of continuous learning and development,9100:09:17,240 --> 00:09:21,200and enhance employee clinical and professional skills and competencies.9200:09:22,160 --> 00:09:26,130CMC will also be asking for $8 million in new positions.9300:09:26,150 --> 00:09:32,330This funding will allow for the additional of eight new pharmacy specialists to help meet the service demands,9400:09:32,330 --> 00:09:39,200maintain reasonable workloads, and to minimize the risk of medication errors to ensure patient safety.9500:09:39,740 --> 00:09:49,100It would also fund 35 new dental positions to help dental services provide removable dental prosthetics to a large number of the inmate population,9600:09:49,700 --> 00:09:53,750and then finally we'll have a $6 million request for new capital equipment.9700:09:54,110 --> 00:09:57,620Some of the pharmacy's automation equipment is more than 15 years old,9800:09:57,620 --> 00:10:07,880and must be replaced to ensure that technology is not outdated or falls into disrepair and meets regulatory requirements and ensures patient safety.9900:10:08,030 --> 00:10:13,920This request seeks funding for software updates, equipment for the packaging system, and refrigerators and freezers.10000:10:13,940 --> 00:10:21,110Sounds like a lot of robust, uh, funding requests, which are all necessary and would absolutely improve health care across the state,10100:10:21,110 --> 00:10:26,900both for, uh, our employees and other constituents, as well as sort of... our correctional managed care.10200:10:27,500 --> 00:10:34,130Uh, last question. We have a lot of faculty and staff who want to get involved and advocate for UTMB... for CMC.... and10300:10:34,430 --> 00:10:42,700other causes requesting state support. Can you tell us a little bit about the rules for us as state employees, what we can and can't do yesterday?10400:10:42,710 --> 00:10:46,880I mean, I certainly understand, um, wanting to be involved in this legislative session.10500:10:47,270 --> 00:10:54,530Um, but UTMB, as a state institution and given it receives state funding, has certain rules and statute that we have to abide by.10600:10:54,950 --> 00:11:02,810Um, and statute provides us that pretty clear line, particularly related to advocating for or against pieces of certain legislation.10700:11:02,820 --> 00:11:12,680For example, as a UTMB employee, we cannot go to the Capitol during work hours and say, I'm representing UTMB and I'm for or against a certain bill.10800:11:13,190 --> 00:11:15,020Employees do... have the right.10900:11:15,050 --> 00:11:22,370Um, as citizens of the state on their own free time, not representing the institution to go to the Capitol and make their voice heard.11000:11:22,820 --> 00:11:28,459Um, certainly, if any employees or staff have any questions about engaging in the process,11100:11:28,460 --> 00:11:33,860please always feel free to reach out to UTMB's Health Policy and Legislative Affairs Office.11200:11:33,860 --> 00:11:36,439We're happy to answer any questions. Um,11300:11:36,440 --> 00:11:42,709I would also note we have a UTMB Student Day where the students come to the Capitol and they get to go around and talk11400:11:42,710 --> 00:11:50,150to legislators and staff about the educational experience at UTMB and our request for the the next legislative session.11500:11:50,150 --> 00:11:55,160So we're hoping that students from all of the schools across UTMB will be involved.11600:11:55,370 --> 00:11:58,850That's awesome. We'll look forward to engaging with you all and your team.11700:11:58,880 --> 00:12:01,190Uh, very helpful information that you've shared today.11800:12:01,190 --> 00:12:07,799And hopefully folks, uh, can understand all the different complexities and all the different requests that are out there, uh, for each session.11900:12:07,800 --> 00:12:11,360And good luck to Dr. Reiser in his first session as well. Well, thank you, Jamie.12000:12:11,360 --> 00:12:16,759And certainly I'd like to thank all of the UTMB employees and staff for their help during legislative session.12100:12:16,760 --> 00:12:22,069We often reach out with requests related to impact for certain pieces of legislation.12200:12:22,070 --> 00:12:26,510So it's a, uh, group effort and, um, a team effort.12300:12:26,510 --> 00:12:29,720And I always appreciate everyone's involvement.12400:12:30,560 --> 00:12:34,190Well, I appreciate your hard work and efforts. And thank you for joining us today.12500:12:34,220 --> 00:12:37,430Thank you. Jamie. Thank you for tuning into The Pulse.12600:12:37,910 --> 00:12:43,160We hope you've gained valuable insights, discover new perspectives, and feel inspired by the stories shared today.12700:12:44,450 --> 00:12:49,280Please join us for future episodes to stay informed and connected right here on The Pulse.
More Information
Lauren Sheer, Vice President for Health Policy and Legislative Affairs at UTMB, is a Galveston native (BOI) with extensive experience navigating state and federal policy. Since 2007, Lauren has played a key role in securing vital funding for UTMB’s clinical enterprise and Correctional Managed Care division, as well as advocating for hurricane recovery efforts and health care funding formulas.
A UT Austin graduate with a BA in Government, Lauren’s career includes time as a policy analyst for State Representative Craig Eiland, where she managed legislative priorities in health care, education, and the state budget.
For more on UTMB’s legislative priorities or to access additional resources, visit the Office of Health Policy and Legislative Affairs (HPLA) website.