BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 1207 By: Cook 02-24-95 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Hospital Districts have the responsibility under the constitution to provide health care for the needy population of the hospital district. In the pursuit of this requirement, hospital districts have employed different methods by which to provide these services including: the establishment of minor emergency clinics, providing a medicaid eligibility specialist at the hospital, and the establishment of indigent care clinics. However, hospitals have lacked the authority to contract with the Department of Health to provide preventive health care services for the needy. Instead, that authority rests with the local health department or public health district on the local level. This has impeded the hospital district's efforts to not only treat the indigent, but to provide these individuals with the knowledge of how to keep from acquiring these conditions. PURPOSE This legislation gives hospital districts the statutory authority to contract with the Department of Health for preventive health care services. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY In the opinion of the committee, this bill will require the Department of Health to adopt rules which would outline the procedure by which the department will receive contract applications from the hospital districts. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 285, Health and Safety Code, by adding Subchapter H as follows: Section 285.091 provides that a hospital district created under general or special law may contract with the Department of Health for the provision of health care services and assistance, including preventative health care services, to eligible residents of the district. SECTION 2. Emergency Clause. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION HB 1207 was considered by the Committee on County Affairs in a public hearing on 3/1/95. Sarah Denton, representing the Texas Department of Health, testified neutrally on the bill. HB 1207 was reported favorably without amendment with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed, by a record vote of 6 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 PNV, 3 Absent.