ISSUE OF November 22, 1991">
The Governor

As required by Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6252-13a, 
sec.6, the Texas Register
publishes executive orders issued
by the Governor of Texas.
are published in Chronological
order. Additional information on
documents submitted for publication
by the Governor's Office
can be obtained by calling
(512) 463-1814.



Executive Orders

AWR 91-13

CONTINUING THE GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION FOR WOMEN



WHEREAS, women comprise more than half the population of our
nation and of this state;

WHEREAS, it is imperative that the potential of all citizens
be utilized to the fullest extent without regard to sex, race,
religion, geographic location, national origin, or economic status;

WHEREAS, the achievement of this goal will be facilitated
by a firm commitment to the physical, mental, and emotional health
of women and equal access to information, education, and training;
and

WHEREAS, this goal can best be accomplished by continuing
and redirecting the Governor's Commission for Women,

NOW THEREFORE, I, Ann W. Richards, Governor of the State of
Texas, under the authority vested in me, do hereby order that
the Governor's Commission for Women, hereinafter referred to
as the Commission, is hereby continued without interruption.
The purpose of the Commission is to work towards the goal of
achieving equal health, educational, economic, political, legal,
and social opportunity and advancement for all citizens of our
state.

The Commission shall consist of twenty-nine (29) members appointed
by the Governor for a term to expire February 1, 1993. Amalia
Rodriguez-Mendoza shall serve as Chairperson and Dr. Mirian Sokol
shall serve as Vice-Chairperson at the pleasure of the Governor.
The Governor shall appoint an Executive Director who shall assist
the Commission as it adopts rules and procedures and develops
and implements activities consistent with the provisions of the
executive order.

The Commission will have as its principal charge the achievement
of the following:

(a) Identify, assess, and develop strategies, including community
outreach activities, public-private partnerships, and coordination
of community and state resources, to improve the mental, physical,
and emotional health of women in Texas;

(b) Focus attention on the special needs of women and families
relating to health and safety, such as information and education
about nutrition and preventive medicine; access to health services
in rural and border areas of the state; availability and affordability
of health insurance for low income families; and counseling and
services for individuals in recovery programs;

(c) Support research/development activities that seek to incorporate
the needs of women in the long-range planning process for Texas,
being especially sensitive to such issues as health and safety,
education, work and family policies, legal rights, and economic
security;

(d) Participate with other established task forces and policy
groups, especially in the areas of health and human services,
education and training, and economic security;

(e) Secure recognition of citizens' accomplishments and contributions
to Texas;

(f) Maintain a clearinghouse of research, statistics, and
information on the status of women;

(g) Monitor federal and state legislation relating to issues
affecting women; and

(h) Establish a State Agency Council to assist the Commission
in fulfilling its charge.

The Commission shall make an annual written report of its
findings, activities, and recommendations to the Governor.

The Commission shall meet quarterly or at the call of the
Chairperson. A majority of the membership shall constitute a
quorum for the purpose of conducting the business of the Commission.

The members of the Commission shall serve without salary but
may be reimbursed for their travel expenses incurred while attending
officially called meetings of the Commission.

This Executive Order shall be effectively immediately and
shall remain in full force and effect until modified, amended,
or rescinded by me.


Issued in Austin, Texas, on November 6, 1991.

TRD-9114305

Ann W. Richards

Governor of Texas

   
   

 91-14

ESTABLISHING THE TEXAS HEALTH POLICY TASK FORCE TO PROPOSE
A COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH PLAN TO ENSURE THAT ALL TEXANS HAVE ACCESS
TO APPROPRIATE AND AFFORDABLE HEALTH SERVICES



WHEREAS, the economic and social well-being of our state is
tied to the health of the people of Texas, and

WHEREAS, the spiraling costs of health care and health insurance
are making health services and health insurance coverage very
difficult for individuals and employers to afford, and

WHEREAS, the growth in health care spending by our federal,
state, and local governments is placing unmanageable financial
burdens on taxpayers at the same time they are struggling with
growing financial responsibility for their personal health, and

WHEREAS, more than three million Texans, including one million
children, have no health insurance and are not eligible for public-funded
health care, and

WHEREAS, uninsured and underinsured individuals usually do
not receive preventive and primary health services and rely on
expensive emergency room treatment or receive no medical care,
and

WHEREAS, in 1989, Texas hospitals provided over $2 billion
in uncompensated care and physicians provided over $150 million
in free services, causing financial problems for many health
care providers and a shifting of costs from non-paying to paying
and insured patients, and

WHEREAS, Texans living in rural areas often lack access to
important health services because of hospital closures and difficulty
recruiting and retaining health professionals, and

WHEREAS, the lack of trauma care services statewide places
people's lives at risk and overburdens the few facilities that
treat the growing number of trauma patients, and

WHEREAS, our current health care system exposes people to
anxiety, genuine health risks, and the threat of financial ruin,
and

WHEREAS, Texas does not have a comprehensive, coordinated
state health plan to address the needs of all people;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ann W. Richards, Governor of the State
of Texas, by virtue of the authority vested in me, do hereby
order as follows:

Create the Texas Health Policy Task Force, hereinafter referred
to as the Task Force.

The purpose of the Task Force is to propose legislative and
policy changes to allow Texans to have access to affordable basic
health care.

The Task Force is charged to:

1. Define a basic health care service package for Texans,
emphasizing preventive and primary care;

2. Propose a basic health insurance benefits package or other
health care financing mechanism for Texans that is not necessarily
tied to place of employment and includes recommendations for
state regulation of health insurance or other financing plans;

3. Provide a range of options for small businesses to assist
with health care benefits for their employees;

4. Recommend cost containment and financing options for health
services;

5. Recommend a coordinated health care delivery system, with
special emphasis on rural health services and trauma care;

6. Delineate the responsibilities and commitments of consumers,
providers, insurers, employers, and government at the local,
state, and federal levels for high quality, affordable health
care.

The Task Force is composed of at least fourteen public members
appointed by the Governor, Six Senators appointed by the Lieutenant
Governor, and six House of Representative members appointed by
the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Governor will
appoint the Chair from among the public members, and the Chair
will have full voting rights as a member of the Task Force. The
Governor may appoint Ex-Officio members from state agencies to
serve on the Task Force. Ex-Officio members will have full voting
rights on the Task Force. The Task Force shall meet at the call
of the Chair.

The Task Force may employ or otherwise utilize consultants
with expertise in particular aspects of health planning, health
care delivery, insurance and other financing options, cost containment,
and accountability.

A member of the Task Force is not entitled to compensation
but is entitled to reimbursement for actual expenses (travel
and per diem, as provided by state guidelines) incurred in performing
duties of the Task Force. Consultants may be paid reasonable
fees and reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses.

Staff may be employed as needed to facilitate the work of
the Task Force. State agencies and facilities will cooperate
as requested. The Task Force may accept contributions from private
sources and transfer of funds and other resources from state
agencies.

This Executive Order shall be effective immediately and shall
remain in full force and effect until modified, amended, or rescinded
by me.


Issued in Austin, Texas on November 13, 1991.

TRD-9114305

Ann W. Richards

Governor of Texas

   
   

91-15

ESTABLISHING THE GOVERNOR'S DRUG POLICY ADVISORY BOARD, REPEALING
EXECUTIVE ORDER WPC 87-9



WHEREAS, the abuse of drugs has created a major law enforcement
crisis in Texas; and

WHEREAS, there is a need for a comprehensive and coordinated
effort among parents, schools, law enforcement, private industry,
and state; and

WHEREAS, Congress passed and the President signed the Omnibus
Anti-Drug Abuse Acts of 1986 (P.L. 99-570) and 1988 (P.L. 100-690),
which provide Texas with funding assistance to fight this menace
in our state; and

WHEREAS, the intent of the federal legislation and the recommendation
of the U.S. Justice Department is to coordinate the expenditure
of these monies and to enhance their effective use in combating
substance abuse;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ann W. Richards, Governor of Texas, under
the authority vested in me, do hereby revoke, rescind, and repeal
Executive Order WPC 87-9 and do hereby establish the Governor's
Drug Policy Advisory Board, hereinafter referred to as the Advisory
Board. The Advisory Board is charged with the responsibility
of developing a statewide drug strategy with input from all parties
interested in combatting this problem. The Advisory Board will
make recommendations for the expenditure of funds under the Acts,
will report on the expenditure of funds by all agencies receiving
federal drug abuse funds, and will perform other duties as requested
by the Governor.

The Advisory Board will consist of not more than 13 members
appointed by the Governor who shall serve at the pleasure of
the Governor. The Advisory Board shall be comprised of representatives
from education, law enforcement, and interested organizations
and of other concerned citizens.

The Governor shall designate a Chair and Vice-Chair from the
membership who shall serve in those positions at the pleasure
of the Governor.

The Advisory Board shall meet at the call of the Chair. A
majority of the membership shall constitute a quorum for the
purpose of conducting the business of the Advisory Board.

The members of the Advisory Board will be performing functions
in aid of the state and will serve without compensation but may
be reimbursed for their reasonable and necessary travel expenses
incurred while attending officially called meetings of the Advisory
Board.

All agencies of state and local governments are hereby directed
to cooperate with and assist the Advisory Board in the performance
of its duties.

This Executive Order shall be effective immediately and shall
remain in full force and effect until modified, amended, or rescinded
by me.

This Executive Order shall be effectively immediately and
shall remain in full force and effect until modified, amended,
or rescinded by me.


Issued in Austin, Texas on November 14, 1991.

TRD-9114305

Ann W. Richards

Governor of Texas