G-2412-22281

Texas Health Institute (THI) is a leading voice on public health and health care issues in Texas that is driven by a commitment to health equity by ensuring everyone has the opportunities they need, free from barriers, to pursue their best health.

THI has been engaged with CareQuest Institute since 2015. Their most recent grant has positioned THI to approach the upcoming legislative session with a fair chance to get a Medicaid dental benefit to 12 months postpartum coverage, including support from a diverse set of state-level organizations.

Funding is requested to support THI in their three priorities for 2025: advancing public policy, strengthening workforce and access to care, and charting the path forward for oral health in Texas. To advance public policy, THI will focus their policy efforts on securing a Medicaid dental benefit for new mothers and increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates. They are prepared to adapt to emerging needs or pivot to prioritize issues during the 2025-2026 interim session. To strengthen workforce, THI will build a statewide workgroup action plan in early 2025, focusing on rural communities and pathways for minority and underrepresented communities. To chart the path forward for oral health in Texas, THI is poised to fill the leadership void after the dissolution of the Texas Oral Health Coalition last year. THI will develop a transition and sustainability plan, including convening a statewide advisory committee, creating a business sustainability plan to assess long-term strategies, and ensure continuity, innovation, and planning for long-term implications in addressing oral health equity across Texas.

The budget for this proposal is $203,164 which represents 6% of THI’s overall budget. Funding will support staff time, administrative fees, and indirect costs.