MMA H.B. 2626 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


HIGHER EDUCATION
H.B. 2626
By: Delisi
4-9-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

When medical students are exposed to the option of primary care practice
in community settings, they are more likely to choose careers in primary
care.  Since 1983, the state has funded a statewide family practice
preceptorship program that assigns medical students to communitybased
family physicians for a four-week period of observance and discussion with
the physicianteacher, usually between their first and second year of
medical school.  The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB)
administers the statewide family practice preceptorship program and
subcontracts with the The University of Texas Houston Health Science
Center to operate the program.  Last session, the Texas Legislature
created statewide preceptorship programs in general internal medicine and
general pediatrics. 

Today, with the advent of managed care, the Texas health care
infrastructure is experiencing a system-wide shift in financing and
delivery.  Emphasis is being placed on integrating disease prevention and
health promotion services into the delivery of health care.  Thus, there
exists a growing need for physicians to have an increased awareness of
disease prevention and the social, economic, and environmental factors
affecting health status.  A statewide preceptorship program in public
health settings would give medical students the opportunity to further
understand these issues. 


PURPOSE

H.B. 2626 would establish a statewide preceptorship program in a public
health setting. 

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 Chapter 58, Education Code, by adding Section 58.009 as
follows: 
Sec. 58.009.  STATEWIDE PRECEPTORSHIP PROGRAMS IN PUBLIC HEALTH SETTINGS.
(a) Authorizes the THECB to contract with organizations to operate a
statewide preceptorship program in a public health setting for medical
students in Texas medical schools. 
(b) Requires that an organization qualify for certain federal income tax
exemptions or be operated by a state accredited medical school in order to
be eligible to receive funds under this subsection. 
 (c) Requires eligible students to indicate an interest in primary care.
(d) Allows the board to create and appoint an advisory committee to assist
in the operation of the program. 

SECTION 2.  Emergency clause.