SEN. KOLKHORST CHAIRS SENATE HEARING ON COVID-19 SURGE
The Texas Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, chaired by State Senator Lois Kolkhorst, met Tuesday at the state capitol to address the current rise in cases related to COVID-19.
(courtesy Office of Lois Kolkhorst)
Senators heard from experts on the status of staffing in Texas hospitals, the current trends in COVID-19 hospitalizations, fatalities, data and the impact of personnel shortages on capacity for care.
Kolkhorst said she is grateful to healthcare workers and support personnel who have “worked tirelessly throughout our state for nearly two years, caring for patients with severe complications from COVID-19.” She said, “Texans must work together to combat this healthcare staff shortage and make sure we can expand our hospital capacity for the entire state.”
During the hearing, Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) Chief Nim Kidd said since last April, the state has provided $5.36 billion for healthcare workers, including nearly 23,000 nurses. Kolkhorst added that the federal government recently changed its method of finance, sending those dollars directly to local governments instead of the state.
The change in funding has led to new questions about how the state can continue centralized contracting as directed by Governor Greg Abbott on Monday, even as the federal funding is now being sent directly to local governments. Panelists representing hospitals and systems across the state agreed that they were willing to pay nurses from local sources, so long as the state could continue to assist in the procurement process.
Victoria Citizens Medical Center CEO Mike Olson testified on the current hospital staffing crisis facing Texas and the specific issues it is causing in rural Texas, including having to divert patients to far away cities. Olson also advocated for centralized state contracting to assist healthcare institutions across the state in acquiring personnel.
Other experts to testify included: Dr. John Hellerstedt, Commissioner of the Texas Department of Health & Human Services; Dr. Esmaeil Porsa, President and CEO of Harris Health System; Dr. Joseph Chang, Chief Medical Officer of Parkland Health and Hospital System; Dr. Marc Boom, President and CEO of Houston Methodist; Rebecca McCain, CEO of Electra Hospital; Ted Matthews, Administrator of Eastland Memorial; and Eric Epley, Executive Director of the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council.
I’d like to know how many of the “surge” cases were vaccinated.
In Texas, close to 98% of those hospitalized are the unvaccinated. I know people that have been inoculated and still picked up COVID. Luckily for them, side effects were minor; like the flu. The vaccine is doing what it was designed to to due; protect as much as possible and also lessen effects of COVID if you get it.
Charles, I’m not sure where you’re getting your 98% number from but I’ll give you some real-world numbers: I work for a mid-sized municipal fire department in the greater Houston area and 100% of the people who I have seen through the 911 system over the past two weeks or so with COVID symptoms that we have transported to the ER and confirmed COVID positive in the hospital have reported being vaccinated. 100%.
Seems like horse is already out of the barn.
Be proactive, get the shot and wear a mask.
Well I think this is the definition of “ closing the barn door after the horse got out”. This has to be one of the saddest chapters in Texas history. Although I would be surprised if the state lets it into the history books. It’s a sure thing that the victims and their families will find this boondoggle handling of the pandemic unforgettable, and unforgivable. Wouldn’t it have just been easier if the state government had a campaign to encouraged vaccinations? Or kept mask mandates in place?
But no, it seems that protecting their grip on dictatorial power and staying in office is more important. Sad.
So true! Expect no real solutions nor suggestions to come from this “damage control session”. They will hear reports, take photos and give out a few commendations and medals to a few overworked medical personnel. But there will be no real substantive solutions for the COVID challenge that is crippling our state. Why? Empty heads cannot offer any real remedies!