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.