NACDS sponsored the Texas Public Policy Foundation's (TPPF) Healthcare Symposium, underscoring the association's continued engagement in advancing healthcare and pharmacy policy in Texas. NACDS Board of Directors member Kevin Host, Senior Vice President of Pharmacy at Walmart, participated on the "Texas Challenges" panel, bringing an important pharmacy perspective to the discussion. NACDS continues to advocate for policies that recognize and expand pharmacists' ability to provide essential healthcare services, helping patients access convenient, community-based care and leveraging pharmacies more fully to improve healthcare access, affordability and efficiency.
Also in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott's (R) office confirmed that routine pharmacist-patient medication consultations conducted by telephone are not considered telehealth services under the intent of a new state telehealth law. As a result, these standard consultations will not be subject to recently adopted telehealth rule requirements, including patient informed consent documentation and related recordkeeping obligations, preserving existing pharmacy practice and avoiding additional compliance burdens. The governor's office directed the Texas State Board of Pharmacy to issue formal written guidance confirming this interpretation, which will also ensure no changes to inspection or enforcement practices related to audio-based medication counseling. Texas Federation of Drug Stores lobbyist Janis Carter, Nicole Kralj with Walgreens, and HEB pharmacists Doug Read and Roxi Afshar engaged with the Governor's Office and bill authors to help secure this favorable outcome for Texas pharmacy patients and providers.
Also in Texas, the Nutrition Advisory Committee (TNAC) published an annual report with nutritional guidelines created by Texans for Texans. SB 25, legislation passed in 2025, created TNAC with members appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott. In addition to establishing the committee, SB 25 expands physical education in elementary and middle school, enhances nutrition education at all levels and requires food manufacturers to label foods that contain certain ingredients.
Also in Texas, as required by SB 1 passed in 2025, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) issued a report on Opioid Use Disorder expenditures.
Finally in Texas, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) submitted its Legislative Appropriations Request (LAR) for fiscal years 2028-29 to the Office of the Governor's Budget and Policy Division and the Legislative Budget Board, detailing funding priorities, identifying exceptional item needs for state leadership and legislative consideration and reflecting the required 3% reduction to the base budget.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.