The statewide Women's Health Advisory Committee that met for the first time Sept. 23 has been tasked with recommending to the Texas Health & Human Services Commission how to spend $50 million in funding for women's health programs.

During the 84th Texas Legislative session lawmakers approved a bill that included $50 million for three programs—the Expanded Primary Health Care for Women Program, the Texas Women's Health Program and the Family Planning program.

The committee—composed of health care providers, stakeholders and administrators from throughout the state—will also help consolidate the Expanded Primary Health Care for Women Program and the Texas Women's Health Program to create one program—Healthy Texas Women.

HHSC Associate Commissioner Lesley French said the consolidation would streamline administrative hassles and make it easier for women who are underinsured or underserved to receive care.

The Family Planning program will remain a separate entity and is the only program of the three that allows undocumented immigrants to receive care, French said.

Two members of the public,including Ana DeFrates, advocacy director at the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, said they were concerned with excluding care for immigrants in some of the women’s health programs.

DeFrates said immigrants need comprehensive family planning care regardless of their legal status. She also said she agreed with the ongoing Texas Women's Health Program initiative to expand women’s access to long-acting reversible contraception, but she is worried the program as a whole was ineffective in providing services.

Access to safe abortions was a concern for one resident, a cervical and ovarian cancer survivor, who said the committee should track the number of maternal deaths related to abortions.

Austin resident Edward Sledge told the committee it has a terrific opportunity to push back against policymakers who would limit reproductive services. He said behind every woman is a man who is also engaged in this fight.

“I want to encourage you to be very proactive,” Sledge said. “You could have a lot of influence and do a lot of good.”

HHSC Executive Commissioner Chris Traylor said the deadline for the committee’s recommendation on consolidation of the programs is July 1.

French said the committee would meet next in October to consider several options for benefits packages for client services. The public will also have the opportunity to comment, she said. In November the committee is scheduled to vote on the benefits package, she said.

Future committee meetings will include rewriting administrative rules for the programs, establishing provider training and education and developing patient outreach tactics.

French said the outreach campaign would tailor itself to each part of the state.

“What works in South Texas doesn’t work in Austin,” she said.