SRC-SLL H.B. 2384 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2384
By: Delisi (Fraser)
Health & Human Services
5-15-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Nonprofit hospitals are required to develop a community benefits plan.  In
the development of its community benefits plan, a hospital must consider
the health care needs of the community as determined by a community-wide
needs assessment.  The hospital is required to include mechanisms to
evaluate the plan's effectiveness, including a method for soliciting the
views of the communities served by the hospital.  This bill will set forth
regulations regarding the provision of charity care, indigent health care,
and other community benefits by certain nonprofit hospitals. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2384 sets forth regulations regarding the provision of
charity care, indigent health care, and other community benefits by
certain nonprofit hospitals. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 311.044, Health and Safety Code, by adding
Subsections (d) and (e), to require a nonprofit hospital, in determining
the community-wide needs assessment required by Subsection (b), to
consider consulting with and seeking input from representatives of certain
entities or organizations located in the community as defined by
Subsection (b).  Requires representatives of a nonprofit hospital to
consider meeting with representatives of the entities and organizations
listed in Subsection (d) to assess the health care needs of the community
and populations served by the nonprofit hospital. 

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.