BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 1207 By: Cook (Sibley) Intergovernmental Relations 4-13-95 Senate Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Hospital districts have the responsibility under the constitution to provide health care for the needy population of the hospital district. Hospitals have lacked the authority to contract with the Department of Health to provide preventive health care services for the needy. The authority rests with the local health department or public health district on the local level. This has impeded a hospital district's efforts to not only treat the indigent, but to provide the indigent with the knowledge of preventive care. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 1207 authorizes a hospital district to contract with the Texas Department of Health for the provision of certain health care services for the residents of the district. 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 Chapter 285, Health and Safety Code, by adding Subchapter H, as follows: SUBCHAPTER H. CONTRACTS Sec. 285.091. HOSPITAL DISTRICT CONTRACTS. Authorizes a hospital district created under general or special law to contract with the Texas Department of Health for the provision of health care and preventative health care services to eligible residents of the district. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.