Texas Health Institute

Shaping the Future of Primary Care: Policy Impacts
2024-11-13 11:00 - 12:00 UTC
Primary care impacts everyone and understanding the role policy plays within the healthcare system is essential. With a focus on accessibility, affordability, and quality of care, this webinar will explore how lawmakers’ emerging legislative priorities and political shifts may impact primary care. Join us for a discussion on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the current landscape of how health policies affect primary care
2. Identify opportunities to help improve primary care through policy
3. Offer insights on how state and federal election outcomes will impact primary care

This webinar is produced by the Texas Primary Care Consortium with support from Episcopal Health Foundation, St. David’s Foundation, Texas Academy of Family Physicians, Texas Association of Health Plans, TMF Health Quality Institute, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan.

Speakers

Helen Kent Davis
‍‍Senior Associate, Health Policy, Texas Health Institute
Helen Kent Davis is the founder and principal of HKD and Associates, a health care consultancy providing policy analysis and strategy to help clients promote more accessible, equitable, and cost-effective health care. Among the issues on which she has expertise are Medicaid and the state’s health care safety net, public and private health care coverage, primary care, rural health, and women’s, perinatal, and children’s health. Prior to founding her own firm, Kent Davis worked at the Texas Medical Association for more than 30 years, most recently as the associate vice president of governmental affairs. At TMA, she earned a trusted reputation for her expertise, savvy understanding of Texas’ policy-making process and ability to develop effective partnerships, working together to improve health care delivery and outcomes. Away from work, she loves spending time with her husband, son and two dogs as well as swimming at Barton Springs, gardening and traveling.

‍Larry D. Gonzales, MPA, CPM
Legislative Consultant, Texas Primary Care Consortium‍
The Honorable Larry Gonzales served in the Texas Legislature from 2011-2018 and has been instrumental in helping national leaders craft public policy. Rep. Gonzales served on the powerful House Appropriations Committee three times, twice serving as Subcommittee Chairman appropriating funds for forty-two state agencies. Chairman Gonzales was twice appointed to serve on the budget conference committee, one of only five House members to write the final version of the 2016- 2017 and 2018-2019 state budgets. In 2017, he founded Desk 138, LLC, a public affairs and business development company specializing in issue advocacy and business strategic planning. Desk 138 works to cultivate partnerships and other commercial relationships, as well as identify new markets for products or services.

‍Tom Banning
CEO & EVP, Texas Academy of Family Physicians
Webinar Facilitator
Tom Banning is the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President of the Texas Academy of Family Physicians. In that capacity, he directs overall strategic and legislative strategy, grass roots, political action, continuing medical education, membership and communications activities for the largest specialty society in Texas, with more than 9,000 members. Tom has helped Texas family physicians realize the power of political involvement and grassroots that has resulted in the passage of key legislation including long sought, comprehensive tort reform, landmark patient protection and managed care laws, and numerous public health initiatives.

Texas Health Policy Forum
2024-12-05 09:00 - 16:00 UTC
We are proud of the many strengths that make Texas a desirable place to live, work, and play. However, the state of health and healthcare in Texas is in critical condition. The Commonwealth Fund ranked Texas as 48th in the nation on state health system performance and America’s Health Rankings measured Texas as 39th on overall health rankings.
Join us for the Texas Health Policy Forum to connect and create change for the state of health and healthcare in Texas! At the forum, thought leaders from diverse backgrounds will identify common goals, share perspectives, and foster alignment on recommendations to address the state’s pressing health challenges. Together, we will advance broadly shared policy priorities related to population health, access to care, and payment reform to be addressed during the 89th legislative session.
In a state as socioeconomically, culturally, and politically diverse as Texas, solving big problems requires meaningful dialogue and collaboration.

High-Quality Primary Care: A Path to Healthy Communities
2025-04-09 11:00 - 12:00 UTC
Primary care is essential for a healthy community. Primary care teams manage chronic conditions, help prevent diseases, and detect health issues early when they’re easier to treat. Panelists will highlight the components of high-quality primary care and its contribution to improved health outcomes at a lower cost. Discover how high-quality primary care serves as the cornerstone of healthier individuals and thriving communities.
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the connection between high-quality primary care and healthy communities.
2. Explore initiatives that cultivate healthier communities by prioritizing high-quality primary care.
3. Learn about TPCC’s policy priorities to advance high-quality primary care during Texas’ 89th legislative session.
This webinar is produced by the Texas Primary Care Consortium with support from Episcopal Health Foundation, Texas Academy of Family Physicians, Texas Association of Health Plans, TMF Health Quality Institute, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan.

Speakers

Helen Kent Davis
‍‍Senior Associate, Health Policy, Texas Health Institute
‍Webinar Facilitator

Helen Kent Davis is the founder and principal of HKD and Associates, a health care consultancy providing policy analysis and strategy to help clients promote more accessible, equitable, and cost-effective health care. Among the issues on which she has expertise are Medicaid and the state’s health care safety net, public and private health care coverage, primary care, rural health, and women’s, perinatal, and children’s health. Prior to founding her own firm, Kent Davis worked at the Texas Medical Association for more than 30 years, most recently as the associate vice president of governmental affairs. At TMA, she earned a trusted reputation for her expertise, savvy understanding of Texas’ policy-making process and ability to develop effective partnerships, working together to improve health care delivery and outcomes. Away from work, she loves spending time with her husband, son and two dogs as well as swimming at Barton Springs, gardening and traveling.

‍Kimberly Avila Edwards, MD, MSHCT, FAAP
Associate Chair of Advocacy, Department of Pediatrics, UT Dell Medical School

‍Emily Briggs, MD, MPH, FAAFP
Family Medicine Physician, Briggs Family Medicine, PLLC
Emily Briggs, MD, MPH, FAAFP is a Board-Certified Family Medicine physician in New Braunfels, TX, since 2009. She provides full-scope family medicine services, including operative obstetrics. Dr. Briggs received her medical degree in Family Medicine as well as a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Texas at Houston HSC. She has a longstanding history of actively serving with the AAFP, TAFP, AMA, and TMA. Currently she serves as Delegate for the American Academy of Family Physicians to the AMA, Delegate to the TMA House of Delegates for the LGBTQ Health Section, and recently completed her service as President then Board Chair of the Texas Academy of Family Physicians. She remains a tireless advocate for women’s health issues and underserved and marginalized populations. Dr. Briggs remains active in her local community, including implementing a teen health summit. She is the TMA 2021 Young at Heart Award recipient and was recently awarded an honorary fellowship by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Dr. Briggs enjoys spending time with her husband and daughters, exercising, and creating music in her spare time.

Primary Care at a Crossroads: Navigating Recent Policy, Budget, and Regulatory Changes
2025-10-08 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
Primary care sits at the heart of a high-functioning health system, yet recent state and federal policy developments, including legislative actions from the most recent Texas legislative session and the implications of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR1), signal both significant opportunities and concerning threats for the future of primary care.

Texas Primary Care Consortium Summit
2025-10-23 08:00 - 2025-10-24 14:00 UTC
The 2025 TPCC Summit was held on October 23-24 in Austin, TX. With the theme of Advancing High Quality Primary Care, the summit explored systemic issues such as access to care, payment reform, and primary care workforce, and included conversations about behavioral health, rural health, maternal health, community-based interventions, interprofessional care, and more! The summit is a key step in our ongoing shared pursuit to advance high-quality primary care for all.

Building a Healthier Texas: Innovations in Diabetes Prevention Across Texas
2025-11-20 12:00 - 13:15 (America/New_York)
In recognition of National Diabetes Month, this webinar highlights how healthy eating and nutrition-based care are transforming diabetes prevention across Texas. With diabetes rates up 40% in the past decade and thousands living undiagnosed, communities are turning to innovative models that link healthcare with nutrition access and education.
Panelists will discuss innovative solutions such as grocery support, nutrition counseling, and community health worker outreach, as well as best practices in how nutrition-focused interventions can improve outcomes, build trust, and prevent disease. Together, we’ll explore lessons learned and promising practices that demonstrate how local action and cross-sector collaboration can sustain progress in chronic disease prevention.

Watch Recording

Coverage and Primary Care in 2026: Early Insights and Impacts
2026-02-11 12:00 - 13:00 UTC

Whole-Child Health Starts Here: The Power of Oral Health
2026-02-26 11:00 - 12:00 UTC

2026 Texas Oral Health Coalition Summit
2026-06-04 - 2026-06-05
Reignite, Rebuild, Reimagine: Oral Health for All
