BG H.B. 2449 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


PUBLIC HEALTH
H.B. 2449
By: Hirschi
4-16-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

The Chronically Ill and Disabled Children's Services Program (CIDC) is a
state funded health care program administered by the Texas Department of
Health.  It provides medical and related services to children with chronic
diseases and medical conditions such as cancer, spina bifida, cystic
fibrosis, and AIDS.  The CIDC program provides eligible children with
early identification, diagnosis and evaluation, rehabilitation, and case
management services under a system of service priorities established by
the Board of Health (board).  

Section 35.004 of the Health and Safety Code requires the Board of Health
to approve physicians, dentists, and other health care professionals to
provide services under this program. Today, physical and occupational
therapists, podiatrists, pharmacists, and others facilities or specialty
centers all provide services to families in the CIDC program.   

CIDC children frequently have special dietary needs due to their medical
conditions or treatment regimens, such as the inability to swallow or
properly digest regular food.  Upon referral and order by the treating
physician or dentist, licensed dietitians currently provide nutritional
services to eligible children in in-patient settings.  Licensed
dietitians, however, must  provide services through an intermediary or
"approved provider" for clients seen in an out-patient based setting. 

PURPOSE

HB 2449 includes licensed dietitians among the list of approved providers
of services under the CIDC program so that they may provide nutritional
services under medical or dental orders in out-patient settings without
the involvement of an intermediary. 

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 35.002, Health and Safety Code, by adding
Subdivision (17) as follows: 

(17) defines "licensed dietitians" to mean a person licensed by the Texas
State Board of Examiners of Dietitians. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 35.004(b), Health and Safety Code, by adding
"licensed dietitians" to the list of approved providers allowed to
participate and provide services under the CIDC program. 

SECTION 3.  Establishes the effective date of this Act to be September 1,
1997. 

SECTION 4.  Emergency Clause.