By: Rose H.B. No. 1488

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to sickle cell disease health care improvement and the sickle cell task force.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 533, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 533.0091 to read as follows:

Sec. 533.0091. SICKLE CELL DISEASE TREATMENT. (a) To the extent possible, the commission shall:

(1) in collaboration with the sickle cell task force established under Chapter 52, Health and Safety Code:

(A) ensure that health care services provided under a managed care plan to recipients diagnosed with sickle cell disease align with national clinical practice guidelines and protocols for sickle cell disease treatment; and

(B) address sickle cell disease education for Medicaid providers, including emergency room providers; and

(2) use the commission's existing data to identify opportunities for improving health outcomes of recipients diagnosed with sickle cell disease by:

(A) reducing hospital admissions and readmissions; and

(B) connecting those recipients to a sickle cell disease health home or sickle cell disease expert.

SECTION 2. Sections 52.0003 and 52.0007, Health and Safety Code, are amended to read as follows:

Sec. 52.0003. COMPOSITION OF TASK FORCE. The task force is composed of the following members appointed by the executive commissioner:

(1) two members from community-based organizations with experience addressing the needs of individuals with sickle cell disease;

(2) two physicians specializing in hematology;

(3) two members of the public, each of whom either has sickle cell disease or is a parent of a person with sickle cell disease or trait; [and]

(4) one representative of a health-related institution;

(5) one representative of the Texas Education Agency; and

(6) one representative of the commission.

Sec. 52.0007. ANNUAL REPORT. (a) Not later than December 1 of each year, the task force shall prepare and submit to the governor and the legislature an annual written report that summarizes the task force's work and includes any recommended actions or policy changes endorsed by the task force.

(b) The task force shall, in collaboration with the commission, include in the task force's annual report recommendations for improving sickle cell disease education for health care providers.

SECTION 3. Subtitle B, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Chapter 52A to read as follows:

CHAPTER 52A. SICKLE CELL DISEASE CARE EDUCATION AND TREATMENT

Sec. 52A.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "sickle cell task force" means the sickle cell task force established under Chapter 52.

Sec. 52A.002. EMERGENCY AND PRIMARY CARE MEDICINE GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM CURRICULUM. (a) In this section, "graduate medical education program" and "medical school" have the meanings assigned by Section 58A.001, Education Code.

(b) A medical school in this state that offers an emergency medicine, family medicine, or internal medicine residency program shall examine and incorporate to the extent possible in the curriculum requirements for the program education focused on sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait. The medical school may enter into agreements as necessary for the purposes of this section.

Sec. 52A.005. INFORMATION FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT PERSONNEL. (a) To the extent possible, the Texas Education Agency shall collaborate with sickle cell disease community-based organizations to provide information on sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait to public school districts and district staff, including school nurses, teachers, and coaches.

(b) The commission in collaboration with the sickle cell task force shall explore methods for improving sickle cell disease education and awareness within the public school system and provide recommendations to the Texas Education Agency on the improvement methods.

SECTION 4. As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall appoint the new members of the sickle cell task force as required by Section 52.0003, Health and Safety Code, as amended by this Act.

SECTION 5. Section 52A.004, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, applies to residents entering an emergency medicine, family medicine, or internal residency program at a medical school in this state on or after January 1, 2024.

SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.