BILL ANALYSIS



H.B. 898
By: Rodriguez
2-21-95
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

The San Antonio State Chest Hospital (SASCH) was created by the
Texas Legislature in the early 1950s as one of several state
hospitals specifically designated for the treatment of tuberculosis
(TB) patients.  Over the next three decades, the development of
anti-tubercular medications reduced the need for hospitalization of
many TB patients, and the original 1,000-bed facility was gradually
downsized accordingly.  Simultaneously, the hospital began to treat
non-TB patients and evolved into a hospital providing general
health-care services to indigent persons.

In the late 1980s, Texas and the rest of the country experienced a
renewed increase in TB cases.  The proportion of TB patients
needing treatment at SASCH began to increase once again.  At the
same time, the hospital began developing special capabilities to
treat other infectious diseases and received significant federal
funding for research in non-tubercular mycobacterium disease.  In
1994, the Texas Board of Health designated SASCH as the Texas
Center for Infectious Disease (TCID) to reflect the change in the
hospital's mission and activities.  Texas law should be updated in
accordance with the redesignation.  The hospital presently uses
both names.  It is necessary for clarity and public recognition to
make the new name official in state law.

PURPOSE

This bill will amend current law to reflect the Texas Board of
Health's designation of the San Antonio State Chest Hospital as the
Texas Center for Infectious Disease.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or
agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 11.004(a), Health and Safety Code, by
striking out the name San Antonio State Chest Hospital and
replacing it with the name Texas Center for Infectious Disease.

SECTION 2.  Amends Sections 13.004(a) and (c), Health and Safety
Code, by striking out the name San Antonio Chest Hospital and
replacing it with the name Texas Center for Infectious Disease.

SECTION 3.  Amends Sections 13.007, Health and Safety Code, by
striking out the name San Antonio State Chest Hospital and
replacing it with the name Texas Center for Infectious Disease.

SECTION 4.  Amends Section 13.008, Health and Safety Code, by
striking out the name San Antonio State Chest Hospital and
replacing it with the name Texas Center for Infectious Disease.

SECTION 5.  Amends Section 13.033(5), Health and Safety Code, by
striking out the name San Antonio State Chest Hospital and
replacing it with the name Texas Center for Infectious Disease.

SECTION 6.  Amends Section 13.071(a), Health and Safety Code, by
striking out the name San Antonio State Chest Hospital and
replacing it with the name Texas Center for Infectious Disease.

SECTION 7.  Amends Section 13.074(a), Health and Safety Code, by
striking out the name San Antonio State Chest Hospital and
replacing it with the name Texas Center for Infectious Disease.

SECTION 8.  Amends Section 553.022(b), Health and Safety Code, by
striking out the name San Antonio State Chest Hospital and
replacing it with the name Texas Center for Infectious Disease.

SECTION 9.  Establishes policies for the transition between the two
names.

SECTION 10.  Effective date: September 1, 1995.

SECTION 11.  Emergency clause.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

H.B. 898 was considered in a public hearing on February 21, 1995.
Testifying for the bill was Hugh N. Keel, representing San Antonio
State Chest Hospital. No one testified against the bill. A motion
to report H.B. 898 to the full House without amendment was made,
with the recommendation that it do pass. The motion carried with a
vote of 6 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 PNV, and 3 Absent.