BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 699
	By: Eckhardt
	Local Government
	5/24/2023
	Enrolled

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

S.B. 699 amends current law relating to the creation and operations of a health care provider participation program by a certain hospital district. Travis County's local provider participation fund (LPPF), created in 2019, is a way for its hospital district to provide indigent care, activating a provision of federal law known as the 1115 waiver which draws down federal funds at roughly a 60:40 ratio. There are currently 19 such funds created under Texas law. The funds cost no state tax dollars, only collecting federal funds and mandatory payments from member hospitals. This local bill simply extends the sunset date of Travis County's LPPF, allowing the arrangement to continue for an additional four years.

S.B. 699 amends current law relating to the continuation of a health care provider participation program by a certain hospital district.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 298E.004, Health and Safety Code, as follows:

Sec. 298E.004. EXPIRATION. (a) Provides that the authority of district to administer and operate a program under Chapter 298E (Health Care Provider Participation Program in Certain Hospital Districts), subject to Section 298E.153(d) (relating to authorizing a hospital district to only assess and collect a mandatory payment if a waiver program, uniform rate enhancement, or reimbursement is available), expires December 31, 2027, rather than December 31, 2023.

(b) Provides that this chapter expires December 31, 2027, rather than December 31, 2023.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2023.