Join our expert panel for an in-depth discussion on key interim legislative work shaping the road to the 90th Texas Legislative Session and federal updates affecting the healthcare industry. Attendees will learn about the most pressing issues under consideration and their implications for Texas hospitals including cost of care, rural transformation, hospital payments and more.
Registration Pricing
Member: $75
Non-Member: $125
Registration includes unlimited connections per registered facility.
Who should watch:
Hospital and health system board members, trustees of rural and community hospitals, executive leadership teams, chief executive officers, chief financial officers, government relations professionals, compliance and risk management professionals, strategy and planning leaders, governance professionals and board liaisons, rural health leaders, and policymakers involved in health care legislation, regulation, and public policy.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify key state and federal policy issues affecting hospitals and health systems and their potential impact on healthcare operations and strategy.
- Describe emerging legislative and regulatory trends influencing healthcare delivery, reimbursement, and access to care.
- Recognize the role of hospital leaders and governing boards in monitoring policy developments and responding to changes that affect organizational performance and community health.
Continuing Education:
American College of Healthcare Executives
By attending the 2026 State and Federal Legislative Update Webinar, offered by Texas Healthcare Trustees, participants may earn up to 1.0 ACHE Qualified Education Hours toward initial certification or recertification of the Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) designation.
Certified Healthcare Trustees and Leaders Education
The Texas Healthcare Trustees designates this continuing certified healthcare trustee and leader education activity for up to 1.0 contact hours. For more information about the CHTL program, please contact THT at 512-465-1015.
Speakers
Sara González, Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy, Texas Hospital Association
Sara Lisa González is from Rio Grande City, Texas, and attended the University of Texas at Austin where she earned a bachelor’s degree in English. While at UT, she earned an internship position as a Luna Scholar in the office of the Lieutenant Governor. She went on to serve as Deputy Legislative Director for Senator Van de Putte, Legislative Director for Senator Eddie Lucio, and Chief of Staff for Senator Sylvia Garcia.
After 13 years of service in the Texas Senate, Sara joined the Texas Hospital Association in April of 2016, as Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy focusing on Insurance, Managed Care, Behavioral Health, and Health Information Technology.
John Hawkins, President and CEO, Texas Hospital Association
John M. Hawkins took the helm as president and chief executive officer of the Texas Hospital Association on Jan. 1, 2022. He is the organization’s sixth CEO since its inception in 1930. A longtime advocacy veteran, Hawkins has more than 35 years of experience in legislative, leadership and policy circles and has deep knowledge of health care and hospital funding issues. As CEO, he represents the Texas hospital industry locally and nationally and helps ensure hospitals have the resources they need to deliver the highest quality health care to all Texans. Over the years, Hawkins has fostered critical relationships among business, consumer and medical communities and continues to position THA as a thought leader and single, powerful voice for Texas hospitals. Prior to being named CEO, Hawkins served as THA’s senior vice president of advocacy and public policy since 2004. With a long tenure at the association, his team consistently secured important resources for Texas health care, including hospital Medicaid rates, funding for trauma and behavioral health services, funding for workforce training and protections for the state’s critical safety net Medicaid supplemental payment programs. Hawkins’ team also was an integral force during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping to secure staffing, supplies, vaccines and flexibilities for hospitals to keep patients safe.
John Henderson, President and CEO, Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals, Austin
John Henderson currently serves as president and CEO of the Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals. He joined TORCH in April of 2018 following 16 years as CEO of Childress Regional Medical Center – his hometown hospital. John previously has served as chairman of both the Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals and the Texas Hospital Association.