BG H.B. 2397 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


PUBLIC HEALTH
H.B. 2397
By: Finnell
4-16-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

Section 61.025 of the Health and Safety Code provides a mechanism for
cities and counties to enter into an agreement in order to provide
indigent health care.  However, once such an agreement is concluded, the
law stipulates that neither the county nor the city may revoke or amend
the agreement.  Thus, the law does not provide an avenue for changing
circumstances. 

PURPOSE

HB 2397 amends Section 61.025(e), Health and Safety Code,  to allow a
county to revoke or amend an indigent health agreement if a hospital
district is created in the county after the effective date of the
agreement. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or
institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 61.025(e), Health and Safety Code, to allow a
county to revoke or amend an indigent health care agreement authorized
under this section if a hospital district which covers all or part of that
county is created subsequent to the adoption of the agreement. 

SECTION 2.  Emergency clause. Establishes that this Act takes effect upon
passage.