BILL ANALYSIS


                                                         S.B. 934
                                                    By: Zaffirini
                                      Intergovernmental Relations
                                                         03-30-95
                                     Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

In 1973, the 63rd Legislature created the Starr County Hospital
District (district).  The voters approved the district and Starr
County Memorial Hospital (hospital) opened in 1975.  The hospital
is the only full service hospital facility providing indigent
health care services in Starr County, which has experienced a
dramatic increased in population in the last 20 years.  With
advances in technology and health management, amendments to the
district's enabling act are necessary to authorize the district to
provide additional facilities and services such as hospice care,
intermediate and skilled nursing care, and a rural health care
clinic.

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 934 provides the administration, powers, duties,
and operation of the Starr County Hospital District of Starr
County, Texas.

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 2, Chapter 118, Acts of the 63rd
Legislature, Regular Session, 1973, to provide that the Starr
County Hospital District (district) by and through its board of
trustees (board) has full authority to operate hospital facilities. 
Authorizes the district to operate or provide for the operation of
a mobile emergency medical or air ambulance service and to operate
or provide for certain medical care or medical services.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 4, Chapter 118, Acts of the 63rd
Legislature, Regular Session, 1973, by adding Subsections (i) and
(j), as follows:

     (i)  Authorizes board to use district funds, enter into
     agreements, and take other necessary action to recruit or
     otherwise obtain physicians and other personnel for the
     district's medical staff or for employment with the district.
     
     (j)  Authorizes the board to use district funds, enter into
     agreements, and take other necessary action to conduct,
     participate in, or assist health care education programs for
     the public and for current or potential medical staff members
     or employees.
     
     SECTION 3.     Amends Section 5, Chapter 118, Acts of the 63rd
Legislature, Regular Session, 1973, as follows:

     Sec. 5. (a)  and (b)  Created from existing text.
     
     (c)  Authorizes the board to make temporary appointments as
       it considers necessary.  Authorizes the board to remove from
       the medical staff, after due process, any doctor as
       necessary for the efficient operation of the district.
       
       (d)  Created from existing text.
       
       (e)  Authorizes the board to provide retirement benefits for
       employees of the district by establishing or administering
       a retirement program or by electing to participate in the
       Texas County and District Retirement System or in any other
       statewide retirement system in which the district is
       eligible to participate.
       
       (f) and (g)  Created from existing text.
       
       (h)  Authorizes the board to contract with an individual, a
       public or private entity, or a foreign government to obtain
       or to supply facilities and services necessary for the
       efficient operation of the district.
       
       (i)  Authorizes the board to contract with a municipality,
       county, special district, public or private hospital, or
       other political subdivision of the state or a state or
       federal agency for the district to furnish a mobile
       emergency service or to provide for the investigatory or
       welfare needs of inhabitants of the district.
       
       (j)  Requires the board to determine the type, number, and
       location of buildings required to establish and maintain an
       adequate hospital system and the type of equipment necessary
       for hospital care.  Authorizes the board to acquire
       property, facilities, and equipment for the district for use
       in the hospital system; mortgage or pledge the property,
       facilities, or equipment acquired as security for the
       payment of the purchase price; lease hospital facilities on
       behalf of the district; and sell or otherwise dispose of
       property, facilities, or equipment on behalf of the
       district.
       
       SECTION 4.   Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.