SRC-SLL H.B. 2556 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 2556 By: Kuempel (Wentworth) Health & Human Services 5-15-97 Engrossed DIGEST The Health and Safety Code stipulates that a county must spend at least 10 percent of its annual general revenue levy to provide mandatory health care services to its eligible residents who qualify for indigent health care in order to be eligible for state assistance. When the law was originally drafted, it did not include the 10 percent eligibility provisions for those certain counties which provide care to residents through a hospital established by a board of managers jointly appointed by a county and a municipality. This bill will provide regulations regarding eligibility for state assistance under the Indigent Health Care and Treatment Act for certain hospitals. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 2556 provides regulations regarding eligibility for state assistance under the Indigent Health Care and Treatment Act for certain 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 61.037, Health and Safety Code, to provide that a county that provides mandatory health care services to its eligible residents through a hospital established by a board of managers jointly appointed by a county and a municipality under Section 265.011 is eligible for state assistance if certain requirements are met. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.