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.