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Welcome to the Texas Catholic Conference, the Official Public Policy Voice of the Catholic Bishops of Texas.
OUR MISSION
The primary purpose of the Conference is to encourage and foster cooperation and communication among the dioceses and the ministries of the Catholic Church of Texas.
A major function of the Conference is to be the public policy arm of the Conference's Board of Directors, the bishops of Texas, before the Texas legislature, the Texas delegation in Congress, and state agencies. The public policy issues addressed by the Conference include institutional concerns of the Catholic Church as well as issues related to Catholic social teachings.
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First reading |
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Responsorial Psalm |
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Gospel |
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Video Reflection |
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Saint of the Day |
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Health & Human Services Issues
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We show God’s special concern for the poor and vulnerable by supporting programs that make health care more affordable and accessible while providing incentives, environmental protections and for morally appropriate health research.
Health and Human Services Legislative Priorities
Support improvements of the eligibility system, including outreach and application assistance, to enroll every eligible child in CHIP & Medicaid with 12 months continuous eligibility.
Support creation of a CHIP buy-in program for middle income families to purchase affordable health coverage.
Support adequate reimbursement for CHIP & Medicaid providers.
Increase access to mental health care, including services for the homeless.
Support efforts to reform the current Advanced Directives statute to expand the family notification period while maintaining the ethical standards of care.
Recognize nutrition and hydration as ordinary medical care.
Support initiatives in public health related to obesity, cancer prevention, and healthy lifestyles.
Support a pharmacist conscience clause bill so that pharmacists are not required to sell morning after pills to minors.
Support ban on payment for ova donation.
Support the expansion of the Cord Blood Bank.
Promote funding for adult stem cell research.
Support protection and improvement of air, land, and water quality, especially as they impact poor communities.
Support efforts to increase access to affordable housing.
Click here to download all 81st Legislative Session Priorities
Click here to look at Health and Human Services legislation that the TCC supported or opposed during the last legislative session
Statements of Bishops
Pastoral Statement of the Catholic Bishops of Texas on Access to Health Care
December 7, 2004
Texas Bishops Statement on Coal Fired Plants en español
Spring 2007
Public Testimony & Letters on Health and Human Services
Testimony on the Children’s Health Insurance Program
Letter to Public Health and Health and Human Service Chairmen on Elder Care
February 21, 2007
Resources
End-of-life issues
Catholic Relief Services
CRS is a global organization committed to helping the poor and disadvantaged and promoting charity and justice throughout the world.
CHIP | Children's Medicaid (en español)
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Poverty Guidelines, Research, and Measurement Home Page
United States Department of Health and Human Services
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health & human services issues