BILL ANALYSIS



H.B. 1192
By: Berlanga
3-21-95
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

Currently, 199 VISTA volunteers and an average of 1,700 community
volunteers per month are building a framework of health-service
delivery targeted to mothers and children in 39 Texas communities. 
However, the level of effort is inadequate.  There is a need for
expansion of services to the entire family and a need to increase
the number of areas served. Most Texas communities are not served
by this program.  Nearly 320,000 births occur statewide each year.

Furthermore, in most communities there is lack of coordination
among public, private, non-profit, and individual efforts to
improve health.  This fragmented approach limits the effectiveness
of service delivery to those who need it most.  The proposed Texas
Volunteer Health Corps would link a wide range of local health
professionals and providers, community groups, and private citizens
in efforts to change risky behavioral patterns and help individuals
understand how to improve their health status.

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1192 requires the Texas Department of Health
(TDH) to establish the Texas Volunteer Health Corps, authorizes TDH
to employ coordinators to oversee the volunteer efforts,  defines
the areas in which volunteers may assist individuals and
communities, requires TDH to encourage health care professionals to
serve as mentors within the Corps and authorizes TDH to provide
relevant public information as appropriate.

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.  Adds Subchapter H to Chapter 12, Health and Safety
Code, as follows:

     Section 12.091.  TEXAS VOLUNTEER HEALTH CORPS.  (a) Requires
TDH to establish the Texas Volunteer Health Corps.

     (b)  Requires the Corps to connect volunteers with local
residents to involve the residents in preventive health care, in
expanding their decision-making role about their own health, and in
building community support for public health.

     Section 12.092.  COORDINATORS.  (a)  Allows TDH to employ
coordinators to recruit, train, and refer volunteers.

     (b)  Allows a coordinator to apply for grants from public or
private sources for the purposes of this subchapter.

     Section 12.093.  VOLUNTEERS.  (a)  Declares that Health Corps
volunteers may include high school or college students, senior
citizens, AFDC JOBS participants, VISTA and AmeriCorps volunteers,
and volunteers from business and community networks.
     (b)  Describes the activities volunteers may participate in
for the purposes of building healthy communities.

     Section 12.094.  VITAL HEALTH CARE ISSUES.  (a)  Allows TDH to
identify vital health care issues and includes specific examples.

     (b)  Permits the Volunteer Health Corps to address a vital
health care issue if a local community identifies the issue as a
priority.

     Section 12.095.  MENTORS.  Requires TDH to encourage health
care professionals to volunteer as mentors within the Corps.

     Section 12.096.  INFORMATION.  Permits TDH to provide public
health information materials as needed by the Corps.

SECTION 2.  Emergency clause.  Effective immediately.


SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

H.B. 1192 was considered by the Public Health Committee in a public
hearing on March 21, 1995.

The following persons testified in favor of the bill:

     Dr. Ramiro R. Casso, representing self.
     Toņa L. Vasquez, representing self.

The bill was reported favorably without amendment, with the
recommendation that it do pass and be printed, by a record vote of
8 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 PNV, 1 Absent.