(Austin)--Improving Texas' health care and human services system is the focus of Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Rylander's April 27 e-Texas public hearing in Dallas. The e-Texas health and human services task force hearing will be held from noon to 2 p.m. in Room 402, Building B, University of Texas Southwestern North Campus, 6000 Harry Hines Blvd.

"Health and human services represent the second-largest expenditure of state funds," Comptroller Rylander said. "As demand for these services increases, Texas must find a better way to deliver quality health services to all Texans.

"This hearing will help us find ideas to improve the state's health and human services systems. I encourage folks to come out, listen to our experts, and give us feedback on the issues they think are critical to improving the state's health and human services system."

Dr. Tom Saving of College Station, the e-Texas competitive health and human services task force commissioner, will lead discussions on long-term health care trends and the aging population, children's health issues and the Internet's future in health care.

Panelists include Dr. Rogers K. Coleman of Dallas, chairman of Healthcare Service Corp. and president of Texas Blue Cross/Blue Shield; Don Gilbert of Austin, Texas Health and Human Services Commissioner; and Dr. Ricardo Martinez of Atlanta, senior vice president of health affairs for Healtheon/WebMD Corp.

The hearing is part of Comptroller Rylander's e-Texas citizen commission, which is charged with developing recommendations to help Texas state government meet the challenges of the Internet Age.

Those who cannot attend the hearing can make suggestions on improving the state's public safety and corrections system at: www.e-texas.org.