State of Reform

Rep. Dustin Burrows has distinguished himself as a legislator willing to push forward on health policy in spite of the politics in Washington DC clouding the path forward for Texas.  We chatted with him at length in February about his transparency legislation, HB 307. While that bill has stalled, transparency of pricing will likely continue to be an issue.

In this episode of “What They’re Watching,” Rep. Burrows lays out the case that an efficient insurance market requires a relatively clear understanding of what procedures cost from the medical system – and how sharing the incentives and savings with consumers will help drive price competition.

Read more here: http://stateofreform.com/5-things/2017/05/legislative-run-stopunderpayments-rep-burrows/

LUBBOCK, TX (KAMC NEWS) – Are you a fan of South Plains politics? Here are your Talking Points for this week.

In the old days, if you wanted to hold a peaceful protest you might have a “sit-in” or even a “love-in.” These days, if you’re a Democrat in a heavily conservative area, you’ve got to try a little shock value. We’ll take you to a “die-in.”

A late start to work in the Texas House means a last minute flurry to try and bring bills to the floor for a vote. This often leads to fear and loathing, along with tears and anguish over what made it and what didn’t make it to a vote.

Also this week, we recap and look ahead at the local, state and national political headlines.

Talking Points with Bryan Mudd airs each Sunday morning at 11:30 a.m. and Sunday evenings at 11:05 p.m.

You can also watch the broadcast below:

http://www.everythinglubbock.com/news/local-news/talking-points-with-bryan-mudd-51417/713572620

Re: HB 4011

To Whom it May Concern:

I appreciate your organization expressing concern over HB4011.

First, false information is purposefully being put out about HB4011 and I want to set the record straight. The Bill does not preclude a physician from balance billing, billing or suing a patient over an unpaid debt. Further, it does not prevent a judgment obtained by a provider from being reported to a credit reporting agency. The bill simply provides that if a provider wants to report an overdue account to a credit reporting agency, they must first have disclose the price; or, obtain a judgment.

Nothing in my bill mandates price disclosure by anyone.

Second, I have heard concerns from others and have proposed amendments to address those (although I am told TMA will oppose any bill dealing with price transparency). The most notable amendment I have proposed is one limiting the disclosures to the top 25 “shoppable” medical events.

Third and finally, as you will recall I have had several meetings with your group about the idea of price transparency legislation. At the outset, I asked your groups to work with me (not against me) to find a reasonable solution. I distinctly remember being assured that this would happen. However, it has not, and appears that your group has decided to ignore me (and the people I proudly represent who are struggling to pay for healthcare and health insurance).

Perhaps, in the future, your organization will reconsider your position of ignoring my price transparency legislation and working against it. If you do reconsider, I will be more than happy to work with you to come up with good policy for all Texans.

For any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact my office at (512) 463-0542.

Respectfully,

Dustin Burrows

By: Lucinda Holt
Lubbock Avalanche Journal

First responders injured in the line of duty would have access to a liaison to assist in workers’ compensation claims and disputes under House Bill 2082, which was approved by the Texas House Tuesday evening.

The bill authored by State Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, states an ombudsman will be created within the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation and will serve injured first responders by assisting them through the claim process and, if applicable, with any disputes that may arise.

“It is an honor to represent first responders in HD-83 and across Texas,” Burrows said in a statement after the vote. “Our injured and wounded first responders must have their worker’s compensation claims processed quickly and fairly.”

Mary Duncan, West Texas Crime Victim’s Coalition president, has worked alongside city and state leaders as a voice for injured first responders, eventually collaborating with Burrows.

On April 3, Duncan and area injured first responders testified before the state’s Business and Industry Committee and left on a positive note as Duncan said the testimonies were emotional and well-received.

After the bill passed the House, she sent a statement saying, “I am beyond excited for our first responders. We all have worked so hard to see that our first responders receive the medical attention they deserve. (I’m) feeling so blessed by all the support we received by so many from so many jurisdictions.”

She also said working with state legislators has been a memorable journey.

The bill was developed after Duncan began receiving reports of injured officers experiencing troubles with their medical claims, including that of her own husband.

Medically retired Lubbock police officer Jacob Flores has been a continuous voice, sharing his story of claim denials and numerous surgeries following an injury he suffered when chasing a suspect in a child abduction case. Saying he had to fight for information on his claims, he added that the ombudsman will help ease a major burden so that those injured can focus on recovery.

The bill reads, “An employer that employs first responders or supervises volunteer first responders shall notify the first responders of the first responder liaison in the manner prescribed by the office.” Under the bill, the ombudsman must meet specific qualifications including training and education requirements.

The bill passed alongside HB 1689, which aims to hold government agencies that provide or accept workers’ compensation accountable by imposing sanctions and administrative penalties.

“HB 1689 and 2082 were written with the help of police, fireman, their families, and their advocates to ensure our state agencies operate efficiently and cooperatively,” Burrows said. He also thanked the bills’ joint authors, which included State Rep. John Frullo, R-Lubbock.

HB 2082 passed the House with a vote of 133-7, while HB 1689 passed 147-0. Both will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.

Read more here: http://lubbockonline.com/local-news/news/2017-05-09/house-passes-burrows-bill-aimed-assisting-wounded-officers

Monday on The Chad Hasty Show, Representative Dustin Burrows joined the broadcast to talk about the deadline looming for getting bills out of the Texas House and many important items still being worked on.

Burrows and Hasty discussed protections for farmers, the new anti-sanctuary cities law signed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, CPS reform, and firearms legislation.

Speaking about the supposed ‘fear’ being created by the law, in the Hispanic population in Texas, Burrows said,

The only people who are trying to basically be fear-mongers in this are the Democrats who are making that point, saying that this bill should make fear.

Listen to the entire interview with Representative Dustin Burrows in the video above.

The Chad Hasty Show airs weekday mornings live, from 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM on News/Talk 95.1 FM and 790 AM KFYO, online at KFYO.com, and on the free RadioPup app. Follow Chad on Twitter via @ChadHastyRadio & KFYO Radio at @KFYO!

Read More: Democrats Fear-mongering Over Anti-Sanctuary Cities Law | http://kfyo.com/dustin-burrows-says-democrats-trying-to-create-fear-over-anti-sanctuary-cities-law-interview/?trackback=tsmclip

KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

LUBBOCK, TX (KAMC NEWS) – Are you a fan of South Plains politics? Here are your Talking Points for this week.

With all the talk in Washington about wiretapping and Russian agents who knew all it was take to figure out the mystery was a little testimony about Texas Tech football.

The process of building Lubbock’s outer loop (Loop 88) is now underway but with budget problems in Austin, is it the best time to be asking the state for a loan?

Also this week, why the speaker of the Texas House says the Senate is ‘cooking the books” on it’s budget. Plus we’ll spend five good minutes with Representative Dustin Burrows on why he thinks your gun license should be free.

Talking Points with Bryan Mudd airs each Sunday morning at 11:30 a.m. and Sunday evenings at 11:05 p.m.

Watch the full interview here: http://www.everythinglubbock.com/news/local-news/talking-points-with-bryan-mudd-32617/680937553

Friday on The Chad Hasty Show, Texas House District 83 Representative Dustin Burrows joined the program broadcasting from Burrows’ office in Austin to talk about current issues in the ongoing 85th Texas Legislature.

Hasty, while opening the show, said: “We are broadcasting today of course from the beautiful Sanctuary City of Austin Texas where, if you light up a cigar, oh no, the SWAT team will arrive, however, if you’re a criminal illegal alien, you can run free all you want.”

Beginning the discussion was the subject of federal overreach, and the recent letter to Washington D.C. upon which Burrows was a signatory.

“We decided that it was time for Washington D.C. to hear from the states, or at least some of us in the state, what we think is best for health care, which is, ‘Give us back the power,’” Burrows said, describing the premise of the letter.

Burrows continued, saying:

If we look at these last elections, where people, forty five percent of the country wakes up depressed and feeling the world is falling apart, well maybe it’s because D.C. has too much power. Maybe it’s because the presidency has too much going on in it. And so my idea how we actually get back to all living together, if California wants to do their thing culturally, un-conservative, and bad economic policy, let them. But at the same time let Texas have as much control over it’s destiny as possible. We welcome that opportunity, we welcome that responsibility, so myself and sixty four of my colleagues, members of the Texas Conservative Coalition sent a letter to the entire delegation including the President and said, ‘Look, just repeal the thing being Obamacare. It’s been a disaster, it’s hurt Texas’ budget, it’s hurt our individual budgets. Let us have the power, and we’ll chart our own course and destiny.

You can watch the first part of Hasty’s interview with Representative Dustin Burrows in the video above, and the other part below.

Read More: Rep. Burrows on Killing License to Carry Fee & Texas School Choice | http://kfyo.com/dustin-burrows-interview-3-24-17/?trackback=tsmclip

KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) – While the American Health Care Act awaits a vote on the House Floor, the state of Texas could have a big voice in whether or not this legislation ever hits the desk of President Trump.

District 19 Congressman Jodey Arrington voted for the legislation to go through last week during a hearing in the House Budget Committee.

Meanwhile, many conservatives are still voicing concern that the current legislation doesn’t go far enough.

That is why 65 Texas House and Senate members have signed off on a letter, urging the entire Texas Congressional Delegation in Washington to fully repeal the entire law.

The letter was written by our district’s House Representative, Dustin Burrows, and was just released to the public today.

All signatures are from members of the Texas Conservative Coalition, including our district’s senator, Charles Perry.

The letter asks our state’s representatives at the Federal level to fully repeal Obamacare and to let the states have control back in setting their own health insurance regulations.

“We sent it to all of the Texas senators and all of the Texas congressmen and just stated that the solutions are best left up to the state to come up with. We’ve got great ideas here in Texas and we welcome the responsibility and the opportunity to come up with them,” Representative Burrows said.

Meanwhile, Congressman Jodey Arrington, voted last week to pass the Republican health care legislation forward, despite the current bill not fully repealing Obamacare.

That committee was nearly split, with a tight vote of 19-17 in favor of moving the bill forward.

“I don’t want to overlook, and I don’t think the American people who are conservatives, like those who live primarily in West Texas, should overlook the fact that this is one of three phases or one step in a three-step process to full repeal and fully replace Obamacare,” Congressman Arrington said.

But Burrows and his colleagues who signed on to the letter say they still hope for more control to come back to the states.

“I’m not up there in the debates and I would never tell our congressman how to do his job, but certainly as somebody who is representing the state of Texas who is responsible for the Texas budget, who wants to see more money invested in our schools, our roads and property tax relief I felt compelled to write the letter to urge all of the congressmen to fully repeal it. And give us the opportunity back,” Representative Burrows said.

The legislation will have to receive 218 votes in the House to make its way to the Senate.

Congressman Arrington says he will continue to push for certain provisions, such as creating a work requirement for able-bodied adults who apply for Medicaid.

“I’m not stopping, I’m not slowing down until we get this thing into the best position it can be in for my constituents,” Congressman Arrington said.

When asked if he had read the American Health Care Act in full, Congressman Arrington said he did.

“After the criticism I levied on the Democrats under the leadership of Nancy Pelosi for not reading the bill, passing it to find out what was in it, I wasn’t gonna make that mistake and not read the bill.”

The legislation moves to the House Rules Committee on Tuesday, and Arrington says the bill could see a vote on the House floor as soon as this week.

Read more here: http://www.kcbd.com/story/34957715/representative-dustin-burrows-writes-letter-urging-full-repeal-of-obamacare

Sixty-five Texas Legislators sign letter supporting State’s Constitutional right to solve health insurance question

AUSTIN, TX – On Friday, March 17, 65 members of the Texas Conservative Coalition (TCC) signed the attached letter. While the letter speaks for itself, the following comments were made with its release:

TCC President, Representative James Frank (HD-69): “I am proud to stand as one of 65 members of the Texas Legislature and send this letter to our Congressional Delegation and President Trump. Obamacare has caused insurance premiums to historic highs, leaving less revenue in the Texas budget for priorities such as schools, roads and property tax relief. It has also forced Texans to make impossible choices with their household budgets in order to absorbed these huge spikes. This is why I signed the letter calling for its full repeal.”

TCC Vice President, Representative Jason Isaac (HD-45): “If the past seven years have shown us anything, it’s that top-down, one-size-fits-none government mandates don’t work for our health care system. It’s long past time to do away with Obamacare, and I join TCC’s members in looking forward to health care reform that truly reduces costs for hard-working Texans and returns power to the states.”

Representative Dustin Burrows (HD-83): “Conservatives campaign on the need to decentralize Federal power to the States and limited government; and, today is the opportunity for that to happen. I signed this letter because I believe that the solutions are best left up to the States; and, we welcome the opportunity and responsibility to implement market-based reforms.”

For further comments, please contact John Colyandro with the TCC at (512) 474-1798; or, Rep. James Frank at (512) 463-0534; Rep. Jason Issac at (512) 463-0674; or, Rep. Dustin Burrows at (512) 463-0542.

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