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The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) regulates nursing homes, supervises the state’s Medicaid managed care system, and oversees the Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
HHSC also licenses child care providers in Texas.
State law defines the commission’s goals to include reducing the incidence of disease and disabling conditions, reducing infant death and disease, improving access to health services, reducing substance abuse, reducing school dropouts, reducing teen pregnancy, and increasing support services for people with disabilities.
Management of Federal Programs
HHSC provides acute healthcare and long-term services to more than seven million Texans every month through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
The agency also manages the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which gives food aid to eligible children and families.
State Hospitals
Additionally, HHSC operates a network of psychiatric hospitals in Texas, including:
- Austin State Hospital
- Big Spring State Hospital
- El Paso Psychiatric Center
- Kerrville State Hospital
- North Texas State Hospital
- Rio Grande State Center
- Rusk State Hospital
- San Antonio State Hospital
- Terrell State Hospital
- Waco Center for Youth
These facilities provide a variety of services, including residential psychiatric services, child and adolescent services, forensic competency restoration, and special services for those with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Services vary by location.
Patients typically stay several days to a few weeks until their condition stabilizes and they can return to their communities. However, some patients stay in these facilities for a long time.
Agency Structure
HHSC is headed by an executive commissioner who is appointed by the governor. The commissioner is advised by an executive council, which meets at least four times a year.
HHSC also has more than 70 specialized advisory committees, including the Aging Texas Well Advisory Committee, Drug Utilization Review Board, Council on Sex Offender Treatment, Hospital Payment Advisory Committee, Medical Advisory Board, and Texas Autism Council.
HHSC’s executive commissioner has policymaking responsibilities over the Department of State Health Services, but day-to-day management of this agency falls to the DSHC commissioner.
The commission is headquartered in Austin and has 11 regional offices throughout the state.
As an oversight and policymaking agency, HHSC houses an Office of Inspector General, Internal Audit Division, and Office of Policy and Performance.
HHSC was created in 2016-2017 as a consolidation within the state health and human services system. The Legislature abolished several state agencies when it created HHSC and transferred their responsibilities to HHSC, including the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, and the Department of Aging and Disability Services.
