5 Trends to Watch in 2023 in Texas Health Care

1. End of Pandemic Public Health Emergency Brings Changes –Observers believe that the COVID-19-related public health emergency (PHE) will be extended until April of 2023. Providers need to plan around how the end of the PHE will affect their business, including providers who traditionally see Medicaid patients, or who have relied on PHE-related flexibilities and waivers.
   
   
2. 88th Texas Legislative Session Brings Potential Changes in Health Care Laws – 2023 is the beginning of the 88^th regular session of the Texas Legislature. While no health care topics have been deemed priorities by Governor Greg Abbott, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, nor Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan there are a few pre-filed bills for consideration that will cover topics such as abortion and transgender rights.
   
   
3. Texas Trials Resume with Interesting Verdict Trends – As trials have resumed in Texas, the post-pandemic jury verdicts in personal injury cases, including health care liability cases, have yielded a surprising number of large awards.
   
   
4. Emphasis on Rural Health Care Safety Net Providers – Rural providers in Texas have historically faced serious challenges in meeting basic public health needs in their respective communities. In 2023, these providers can explore lifeline opportunities for rural communities.
   
   
5. Different Issues May Arise for Hospital Billing Systems – New legislation, such as the No Surprises Act, will factor in new compliance policies. As hospitals navigate through changes in price transparency, overall business may also see changes.

About Greenberg Traurig’s Health Care & FDA Practice 

Greenberg Traurig’s multidisciplinary Health Care & FDA Practice provides strategic counsel to a diverse group of companies and other organizations, helping them to respond proactively to the rapidly changing health care marketplace. The group combines dedicated experience in health care regulatory compliance and operational matters with the firm’s capabilities in corporate & securities, finance, tax, antitrust, ERISA, commercial and governmental litigation, restructuring, intellectual property and biotechnology, in order to provide a wide range of legal services.

Greenberg Traurig’s Health Care & FDA Practice in Texas includes Shareholders Joseph F. Coniglio, Charles C. Dunham, IV, Somer Hayes, Adam H. Laughton, Michael L. Malone and James Peacock; and Senior Counsel Sheryl Tatar Dacso.