BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 2021 By: Berlanga (Sponsor) Health and Human Services 5-11-95 Senate Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) are a provider type under Medicare and Medicaid law. All FQHCs are nonprofit or public health organizations located in urban and rural areas designated as medically underserved areas or populations. Current law does not provide all federally qualified health centers the ability to contract or employ physicians or dentists. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 2021 requires the Texas Board of Health to certify all FQHCs to contract with or employ physicians and dentists licensed by the board. 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 5.01(b), Article 4495b, V.T.C.S. (Medical Practice Act), to require the Texas Board of Health (board), to approve and certify any health organization to contract with or employ physicians licensed by the board upon application and presentation of proof that the board, among other requirements, is organized and operated as a migrant, community, or homeless health center under the authority of and in compliance with 42 U.S.C. Section 254b, 254c, or 256, or as a federally qualified health center under 42 U.S.C. Section 1396d(1)(2)(B). SECTION 2. Amends Article 4551n(a), V.T.C.S., to require the board to approve and certify any health organization to contract with or employ dentists licensed by the board on application and presentation of proof that the organization, among other requirements, is organized and operated as a migrant, community, or homeless health center under the authority of and in compliance with 42 U.S.C. Section 254b, 254c, or 256, or as a federally qualified health center under 42 U.S.C. Section 1396d(1)(2)(B). SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.