By Berlanga, Cuellar, Delisi, Glaze, H.B. No. 3
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to establishing the Texas Healthy Kids Corporation and
1-3 other health benefit coverage to increase access to health care for
1-4 children.
1-5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-6 SECTION 1. Subtitle E, Title 2, Health and Safety Code, is
1-7 amended by adding Chapter 109 to read as follows:
1-8 CHAPTER 109. TEXAS HEALTHY KIDS CORPORATION
1-9 SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
1-10 Sec. 109.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
1-11 (1) "Board" means the board of directors of the
1-12 corporation.
1-13 (2) "Child" means an individual younger than 18 years
1-14 of age.
1-15 (3) "Corporation" means the Texas Healthy Kids
1-16 Corporation established under this chapter.
1-17 (4) "Eligible coverage provider" means an entity that
1-18 meets the requirements for providing coverage under the program
1-19 established by the corporation under Section 109.061.
1-20 (5) "Executive director" means the executive director
1-21 of the corporation.
1-22 (6) "Program" means the health benefit program
1-23 provided by the corporation under this chapter.
1-24 (7) "Title IV-D agency" means the agency designated to
1-25 serve as the state's Title IV-D agency in accordance with Part D,
2-1 Subchapter IV, Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 651 et seq.).
2-2 Sec. 109.002. TEXAS HEALTHY KIDS FUND. (a) The Texas
2-3 healthy kids fund is a fund outside the state treasury held by the
2-4 Texas Treasury Safekeeping Trust Company. The fund is composed of
2-5 money appropriated to the fund and of money appropriated to or
2-6 deposited in the premium stabilization revolving account
2-7 established under Subchapter E. The comptroller shall transfer to
2-8 the fund money appropriated to the fund from the state treasury.
2-9 (b) The comptroller may invest money in the fund in the same
2-10 manner as the comptroller may invest money in the state treasury.
2-11 (c) The board shall file with the comptroller a verified
2-12 copy of a board resolution that designates the authorized
2-13 representatives of the corporation who have authority to spend
2-14 money in the fund.
2-15 (d) In the first fiscal year for which the fund does not
2-16 receive a direct state appropriation of state money, the
2-17 comptroller, at the request of the board, shall transfer the
2-18 balance of the fund to one or more depositories selected by the
2-19 board as depositories for the corporation. On the date a transfer
2-20 is made under this subsection, the fund is abolished.
2-21 Sec. 109.003. BIENNIAL REPORT. (a) Not later than January
2-22 1 of each odd-numbered year, the corporation shall submit a written
2-23 report to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the
2-24 house of representatives, and the commissioner of insurance.
2-25 (b) The report must state the program's status and must
2-26 include a statement of the corporation's financial condition and an
2-27 accounting for the corporation's administrative expenses for the
3-1 two years preceding the date of the report.
3-2 (c) The reporting requirement under this section only
3-3 applies during a period in which:
3-4 (1) the corporation receives state money under a
3-5 direct state appropriation; or
3-6 (2) a person appointed by the governor, other than an
3-7 ex officio member of the board, is serving as a member of the
3-8 board.
3-9 Sec. 109.004. IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY. Chapter 84, Civil
3-10 Practice and Remedies Code, applies to the corporation and an
3-11 employee or volunteer of the corporation.
3-12 (Sections 109.005-109.030 reserved for expansion
3-13 SUBCHAPTER B. CORPORATE STRUCTURE
3-14 Sec. 109.031. TEXAS HEALTHY KIDS CORPORATION; PURPOSE. (a)
3-15 The Texas Healthy Kids Corporation is created and has the powers
3-16 that are necessary and proper to carry out its duties. The
3-17 corporation is a nonprofit corporation and shall comply with the
3-18 Texas Non-Profit Corporation Act (Article 1396-1.01 et seq.,
3-19 Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes).
3-20 (b) The primary purpose of the corporation is to provide
3-21 health benefits for primary and preventive health care for
3-22 children.
3-23 (c) The corporation is not subject to the franchise tax
3-24 imposed by Chapter 171, Tax Code.
3-25 (d) Subject to this chapter, the board shall take any step
3-26 necessary to maintain an exemption from federal income tax under
3-27 Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C.
4-1 Section 501(a)) by being listed as an exempt organization under
4-2 Section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) of that code (26 U.S.C. Section
4-3 501(c)(3) or (c)(4)) or another similar law.
4-4 Sec. 109.032. BOARD OF DIRECTORS; PRESIDING OFFICER. (a)
4-5 The corporation shall operate subject to the general supervision of
4-6 a board of directors. The board of directors and the presiding
4-7 officer of the board of directors are selected as provided by the
4-8 articles of incorporation and bylaws of the corporation, in
4-9 accordance with the Texas Non-Profit Corporation Act (Article
4-10 1396-1.01 et seq., Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes). If required by
4-11 the bylaws of the corporation, the board of directors may also
4-12 include the following voting ex officio members:
4-13 (1) the commissioner of health and human services or a
4-14 person designated by the commissioner;
4-15 (2) the commissioner of insurance or a person
4-16 designated by the commissioner; and
4-17 (3) the director of the Title IV-D agency, or a person
4-18 designated by the director.
4-19 (b) A member of the board may not serve more than two terms,
4-20 without regard to whether the terms are consecutive.
4-21 (c) A person is not eligible to serve on the board if the
4-22 person or the person's spouse is employed by, represents in any
4-23 capacity, owns, or controls any ownership interest in a business or
4-24 organization:
4-25 (1) that may obtain a pecuniary or other favorable
4-26 interest in the course of a business activity with the corporation;
4-27 or
5-1 (2) from whom the corporation receives funds.
5-2 (d) A person is not eligible to serve on the board if the
5-3 person is or has been an adverse party in litigation against the
5-4 board or corporation.
5-5 Sec. 109.033. POWERS AND DUTIES OF BOARD; OVERSIGHT OF
5-6 COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE. (a) Subject to Subsection (d), the
5-7 board is the oversight and governing entity of the corporation and
5-8 has any power necessary and proper to carry out its duties under
5-9 this chapter, including the power to adopt bylaws governing the
5-10 operations of the board and the corporation. The board has complete
5-11 fiscal control over the corporation and is responsible for all
5-12 corporate operations.
5-13 (b) The board may request and accept grants and gifts of
5-14 money, property, or services. Subject to Subsection (c), the
5-15 corporation may use a grant or gift for any purpose of the
5-16 corporation, including paying the corporation's business expenses
5-17 and the salaries or wages of the corporation's employees.
5-18 (c) The corporation may use a donation made as community
5-19 benefits by a hospital or hospital system under Section 171.063(a),
5-20 Tax Code, only to purchase health benefits for children who:
5-21 (1) have a family income of less than 200 percent of
5-22 poverty level according to the poverty index prepared by the
5-23 federal Office of Management and Budget; and
5-24 (2) reside:
5-25 (A) in the case of a hospital, in the county in
5-26 which the hospital is located or a county contiguous to the county;
5-27 or
6-1 (B) in the case of a hospital system, in a
6-2 county in which the hospital system operates or any county
6-3 contiguous to a county in which the hospital system operates.
6-4 (d) The initial board shall submit to the commissioner of
6-5 insurance for approval and may not implement before receiving that
6-6 approval:
6-7 (1) the corporation's bylaws, plan of operation, and
6-8 any other standards adopted by the board; and
6-9 (2) the health benefit program and health benefit
6-10 plans established by the corporation under Subchapter C.
6-11 Sec. 109.034. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. (a) The board shall
6-12 employ an executive director to help the board perform its duties.
6-13 The executive director shall act on behalf of and subject to
6-14 authorization and supervision of the board to carry out the
6-15 purposes of the corporation.
6-16 (b) The corporation shall pay the executive director a
6-17 salary in an amount established by the board.
6-18 (c) The executive director must make and file a surety bond
6-19 in an amount determined by the board for the faithful performance
6-20 of the executive director's duties and the proper safekeeping and
6-21 disbursement of corporate money.
6-22 Sec. 109.035. EMPLOYEES; CONSULTANTS. The executive
6-23 director may employ employees and retain consultants as necessary
6-24 to administer the programs of the corporation.
6-25 Sec. 109.036. PUBLIC INPUT. The board shall develop and
6-26 implement policies that provide the public with a reasonable
6-27 opportunity to appear before the board and to speak on any issue
7-1 related to the corporation or the program.
7-2 Sec. 109.037. OPEN MEETINGS; OPEN RECORDS. The board and
7-3 the corporation are subject to the open meetings law, Chapter 551,
7-4 Government Code, and the open records law, Chapter 552, Government
7-5 Code, subject to Section 109.064, during a period in which:
7-6 (1) the corporation receives state money under a
7-7 direct state appropriation; or
7-8 (2) a person appointed by the governor, other than an
7-9 ex officio member of the board, is serving as a member of the
7-10 board.
7-11 Sec. 109.038. COOPERATION OF AND ASSISTANCE TO STATE
7-12 AGENCIES. (a) A health and human services agency, as that term is
7-13 defined by Section 531.001, Government Code, the Texas Department
7-14 of Insurance, the Title IV-D agency, the board of directors of the
7-15 risk pool established under Article 3.77, Insurance Code, and the
7-16 comptroller shall cooperate with the corporation to assist the
7-17 corporation in performing its duties.
7-18 (b) The corporation shall work with the Title IV-D agency,
7-19 the Texas Department of Human Services, and the Texas Department of
7-20 Health to facilitate the electronic exchange of information among
7-21 the corporation and the agencies that relates to individuals who:
7-22 (1) are covered under the program; and
7-23 (2) are the subject of a medical child support order
7-24 or are or may be eligible for benefits under a federally or
7-25 state-funded program administered by the Texas Department of Human
7-26 Services or the Texas Department of Health.
7-27 (c) The corporation shall work with the board of directors
8-1 of the risk pool established under Article 3.77, Insurance Code, as
8-2 necessary to implement Section 109.067.
8-3 Sec. 109.039. AUDIT BY STATE AUDITOR. (a) The corporation
8-4 is subject to audit by the state auditor under Chapter 321,
8-5 Government Code, only during a period in which:
8-6 (1) the corporation receives state money under a
8-7 direct state appropriation; or
8-8 (2) a person appointed by the governor, other than an
8-9 ex officio member of the board, is serving as a member of the
8-10 board.
8-11 (b) The audit may include a financial audit and an economy
8-12 and efficiency audit.
8-13 (Sections 109.040-109.060 reserved for expansion
8-14 SUBCHAPTER C. HEALTH BENEFIT PROGRAM
8-15 Sec. 109.061. HEALTH BENEFIT PROGRAM. (a) The corporation
8-16 shall:
8-17 (1) establish a program to provide, through eligible
8-18 coverage providers, health benefits for eligible children in this
8-19 state who:
8-20 (A) are not covered by insurance or another type
8-21 of health benefit plan;
8-22 (B) are not covered by insurance or another type
8-23 of health benefit plan for a specified medical condition; or
8-24 (C) are not covered by insurance or another type
8-25 of health benefit plan that provides benefits for primary and
8-26 preventive care;
8-27 (2) develop, in accordance with the purpose of the
9-1 corporation established under Section 109.031(b), the design and
9-2 benefits structure of the health benefit program offered by the
9-3 corporation through eligible coverage providers;
9-4 (3) determine eligibility criteria that children and
9-5 their family members must meet before the children may participate
9-6 in the program;
9-7 (4) develop participation criteria, subject to Section
9-8 109.063, for authorized insurers, health service organizations,
9-9 health maintenance organizations, and other entities eligible to
9-10 provide coverage under the health benefit program;
9-11 (5) develop and implement a public awareness program
9-12 to educate the public about the program;
9-13 (6) establish participation objectives for the
9-14 program;
9-15 (7) negotiate premiums for coverage under the program
9-16 and applicable copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles to be paid
9-17 on behalf of a covered child; and
9-18 (8) contract for the provision of health benefit
9-19 coverage under the program.
9-20 (b) The board may contract for or otherwise obtain
9-21 third-party administration services for the corporation.
9-22 (c) In developing the program, the corporation may consult
9-23 with the Texas Department of Health, appropriate professional
9-24 organizations, coverage providers, other agency officials, and
9-25 consultants. The corporation shall consult with the Title IV-D
9-26 agency in matters relating to coverage for children who are the
9-27 subject of a medical child support order and for whom the agency is
10-1 providing enforcement services.
10-2 (d) Notwithstanding Article 3.51-6, Insurance Code, the
10-3 corporation may establish group coverage plans for children under
10-4 the program in specified geographic regions of the state or based
10-5 on other criteria approved by the commissioner of insurance.
10-6 (e) The parent, managing conservator, or guardian of a
10-7 child, or another person sponsoring coverage for the child, is
10-8 responsible for premiums for coverage under the program and for
10-9 applicable copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles, as determined
10-10 by the corporation. The corporation may develop a premium
10-11 structure that varies according to ability to pay and may require,
10-12 in accordance with the premium structure, that the parent,
10-13 conservator, guardian, or sponsor pay the full cost of the child's
10-14 coverage.
10-15 (f) The corporation may require that the parent, managing
10-16 conservator, or guardian of a child, or another person sponsoring
10-17 coverage for the child, pay to the corporation a reasonable
10-18 enrollment fee, in an amount set by the corporation, before the
10-19 child is enrolled in coverage under the program.
10-20 (g) The health benefit coverage provided under the
10-21 corporation's program is secondary to any other available private
10-22 coverage covering a child. The corporation shall ensure that
10-23 benefits provided by the program are the payor of last resort with
10-24 respect to private coverage covering a child.
10-25 (h) In developing eligibility criteria under Subsection
10-26 (a)(3), the corporation shall consider the impact of the
10-27 eligibility criteria on the availability of other health benefit
11-1 plan coverage for children. The corporation shall restrict
11-2 eligibility for coverage under the program or impose a waiting
11-3 period or other appropriate restriction to minimize any adverse
11-4 impact on the availability of other health benefit plan coverage.
11-5 (i) The board may develop a marketing plan under which each
11-6 participating eligible coverage provider is required to market the
11-7 program. The corporation or eligible coverage providers may
11-8 publicize the corporation and the general nature of the program.
11-9 Direct sale or solicitation of a health benefit plan offered
11-10 through the program must be done in accordance with the Insurance
11-11 Code and other insurance laws of this state.
11-12 Sec. 109.062. CORPORATE OPERATIONS; LICENSING REQUIREMENTS.
11-13 (a) The corporation is not an insurer and may not self-insure or
11-14 self-fund the coverage provided through the program. The board and
11-15 employees of the corporation are not agents of an insurer. The
11-16 corporation, the board, and the employees of the corporation are
11-17 not subject to any licensing requirement imposed under the
11-18 Insurance Code or another insurance law of this state.
11-19 (b) The corporation shall use prudent business practices in
11-20 the procurement of goods and services. A law governing the
11-21 procurement of goods or services by a state agency, including
11-22 Chapter 2054 or 2254, Government Code, or Subtitle D, Title 10,
11-23 Government Code, applies only during a period in which:
11-24 (1) the corporation receives state money under a
11-25 direct state appropriation; or
11-26 (2) a person appointed by the governor, other than an
11-27 ex officio member of the board, is serving as a member of the
12-1 board.
12-2 Sec. 109.063. OPERATIONS OF ELIGIBLE COVERAGE PROVIDER. (a)
12-3 An eligible coverage provider must:
12-4 (1) hold a certificate of authority or other
12-5 appropriate license issued by the Texas Department of Insurance
12-6 that authorizes the eligible coverage provider to provide the type
12-7 of coverage to be offered through the program; and
12-8 (2) satisfy, except as provided by this section, any
12-9 other applicable requirement of the Insurance Code or another
12-10 insurance law of this state.
12-11 (b) A health benefit plan provider under the program is not
12-12 subject to a law that requires coverage or the offer of coverage of
12-13 a health care service or benefit.
12-14 (c) An eligible coverage provider is not subject to the
12-15 premium tax imposed by Article 4.11, Insurance Code, or the tax on
12-16 revenues imposed under Section 33, Texas Health Maintenance
12-17 Organization Act (Section 20A.33, Vernon's Texas Insurance Code),
12-18 with respect to money received for coverage provided under this
12-19 chapter.
12-20 (d) The participation criteria for authorized insurers,
12-21 health service organizations, health maintenance organizations, and
12-22 other entities that provide coverage under the health benefit
12-23 program may not require that an eligible coverage provider provide
12-24 benefits in a school-based clinic.
12-25 Sec. 109.064. ACCESS TO RECORDS; CONFIDENTIALITY. (a)
12-26 Notwithstanding any other law, the corporation may obtain the
12-27 medical records of and other information relating to a child
13-1 covered by the program or applying to be covered by the program on
13-2 receipt of the informed written consent of the child's parent,
13-3 managing conservator, or guardian.
13-4 (b) Information in the possession of the corporation that
13-5 identifies an individual, including medical records and family
13-6 financial information, is confidential and exempt from disclosure
13-7 and discovery in a civil action. Subject to Section 109.038(b) and
13-8 any requirement of federal law, the corporation or an employee or
13-9 agent of the corporation may not release confidential information
13-10 to any person, including a state or federal agency, without the
13-11 written consent of a parent, managing conservator, or guardian of
13-12 the participating child.
13-13 Sec. 109.065. GRIEVANCES AND APPEALS. The corporation shall
13-14 develop a plan for the receipt and consideration of complaints
13-15 regarding participating eligible coverage providers to ensure
13-16 appropriate delivery of health care services to participating
13-17 children and to ensure that eligible coverage providers comply with
13-18 any applicable complaint procedure imposed by law or the
13-19 requirements of the corporation.
13-20 Sec. 109.066. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PROGRAMS. (a) The
13-21 department may use appropriated funds, in accordance with the
13-22 General Appropriations Act, to purchase coverage under a health
13-23 benefit plan provided through the program for children who are
13-24 eligible for coverage for the program if:
13-25 (1) the children receive health care benefits under
13-26 the chronically ill and disabled children's program or another
13-27 federally funded or state-funded program, other than the state
14-1 Medicaid program, that is administered by the department;
14-2 (2) provision of the benefits through a health benefit
14-3 plan provided through the program is a more cost-effective means of
14-4 providing some or all of the benefits described by Subdivision (1);
14-5 and
14-6 (3) no benefit or service provided to the children is
14-7 eliminated or adversely affected as a result of the provision of
14-8 the benefits through the program.
14-9 (b) Services provided to children under a federally funded
14-10 or state-funded program administered by the department, including
14-11 the chronically ill and disabled children's program, may not be
14-12 reduced or eliminated because some or all of the services are
14-13 provided through the program or otherwise provided because of the
14-14 establishment of the corporation or the program.
14-15 Sec. 109.067. AVAILABILITY OF RISK POOL COVERAGE. The
14-16 corporation shall notify the parent, managing conservator, or
14-17 guardian of a child who applies for coverage through the program of
14-18 the availability of coverage from the risk pool established under
14-19 Article 3.77, Insurance Code.
14-20 Sec. 109.068. PROGRAM NOT AN ENTITLEMENT. This chapter does
14-21 not establish an entitlement to health benefits provided through
14-22 the corporation or any other entitlement.
14-23 (Sections 109.069-109.100 reserved for expansion
14-24 SUBCHAPTER D. COVERAGE UNDER ORDER OF MEDICAL
14-25 SUPPORT FOR CHILD
14-26 Sec. 109.101. APPLICATION. A party ordered under Chapter
14-27 154, Family Code, to apply for coverage for a child under the
15-1 program shall provide to the corporation:
15-2 (1) a copy of the order rendered under Chapter 154;
15-3 and
15-4 (2) the name and address of the obligor's employer.
15-5 Sec. 109.102. DUTIES OF CORPORATION OR DESIGNEE OF
15-6 CORPORATION. (a) The corporation or the designee of the
15-7 corporation shall review an application and, if the corporation or
15-8 designee finds that the child is eligible for coverage under the
15-9 program, shall:
15-10 (1) issue coverage to the child in accordance with the
15-11 program; and
15-12 (2) notify the obligor's employer in accordance with
15-13 Subsection (b).
15-14 (b) The notice provided under Subsection (a)(2) must:
15-15 (1) explain the employer's obligations under Section
15-16 109.103;
15-17 (2) state:
15-18 (A) the amount to be paid for coverage of the
15-19 child, including the amount of the premium and the premium
15-20 stabilization revolving account fee imposed under Subchapter E;
15-21 (B) whether the amount is to be paid to the
15-22 corporation or the corporation's designee; and
15-23 (C) the address to which the payment is to be
15-24 sent; and
15-25 (3) include a copy of the medical child support order
15-26 rendered under Chapter 154, Family Code.
15-27 (c) The corporation or the corporation's designee shall
16-1 notify the employer of an obligor of any increase in the amount to
16-2 be paid for coverage of the child under the program.
16-3 Sec. 109.103. DUTY OF EMPLOYER. (a) An employer who
16-4 receives notice under Section 109.102 shall withhold an appropriate
16-5 amount from the obligor's earnings for the required payment and
16-6 remit the amount as instructed on the notice.
16-7 (b) An employer who fails to withhold or remit payments as
16-8 required by this section or who discriminates in hiring or
16-9 employment on the basis of a medical support order is subject to
16-10 the penalties and fines imposed under Subchapter C, Chapter 158,
16-11 Family Code.
16-12 (Sections 109.104-109.150 reserved for expansion
16-13 SUBCHAPTER E. ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN CHILDREN;
16-14 STABILIZATION FUND
16-15 Sec. 109.151. TERMINATION FOR FAILURE TO PAY PREMIUMS.
16-16 Except as provided by this subchapter, the corporation shall
16-17 terminate the coverage of a child for failure to pay a premium as
16-18 required under Section 109.061(e).
16-19 Sec. 109.152. PREMIUM STABILIZATION REVOLVING ACCOUNT.
16-20 (a) The premium stabilization revolving account is an account
16-21 within the Texas healthy kids fund.
16-22 (b) The premium stabilization revolving account is composed
16-23 of money contributed to the account under this subchapter, any
16-24 money appropriated to the account by the legislature, and any gift
16-25 of money accepted by the board for the purposes of the account.
16-26 Sec. 109.153. FEE; DEPOSIT TO ACCOUNT. (a) The corporation
16-27 shall charge for each child covered under the program a reasonable
17-1 premium stabilization revolving account fee, not to exceed $5 each
17-2 month.
17-3 (b) The corporation shall remit money collected under this
17-4 section to the comptroller, in accordance with rules adopted by the
17-5 comptroller, for deposit to the credit of the premium stabilization
17-6 revolving account.
17-7 Sec. 109.154. USE OF MONEY IN ACCOUNT. (a) Money in the
17-8 premium stabilization revolving account may be used by the
17-9 corporation only to pay a premium for coverage provided through the
17-10 program for a child for whom a premium is not paid in accordance
17-11 with Section 109.061(e).
17-12 (b) A premium may not be paid for a child who is covered by
17-13 a health benefit plan other than the plan offered by the
17-14 corporation.
17-15 (c) The corporation shall determine the period for which
17-16 premiums may be paid from the fund and the circumstances under
17-17 which the premiums may be paid.
17-18 (d) The parent, managing conservator, or guardian of a child
17-19 for whom a premium is paid from the premium stabilization revolving
17-20 account, or another person sponsoring coverage for the child,
17-21 remains responsible for reimbursing the account for the premium
17-22 paid. The coverage for the child is subject to termination, in
17-23 accordance with criteria adopted by the board, if the parent,
17-24 managing conservator, guardian, or sponsor fails to reimburse the
17-25 account as required by this subsection. The corporation shall
17-26 remit money collected under this subsection to the comptroller for
17-27 deposit to the credit of the account.
18-1 SECTION 2. Section 154.182, Family Code, is amended by
18-2 amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c) to read as
18-3 follows:
18-4 (b) In determining the manner in which health insurance for
18-5 the child is to be ordered, the court shall render its order in
18-6 accordance with the following priorities, unless a party shows good
18-7 cause why a particular order would not be in the best interest of
18-8 the child:
18-9 (1) if health insurance is available for the child
18-10 through the obligor's employment or membership in a union, trade
18-11 association, or other organization, the court shall order the
18-12 obligor to include the child in the obligor's health insurance;
18-13 (2) if health insurance is not available for the child
18-14 through the obligor's employment but is available for the child
18-15 through the obligee's employment or membership in a union, trade
18-16 association, or other organization, the court may order the obligee
18-17 to provide health insurance for the child, and, in such event,
18-18 shall order the obligor to pay additional child support to be
18-19 withheld from earnings under Chapter 158 to the obligee for the
18-20 actual cost of the health insurance for the child; [or]
18-21 (3) if health insurance is not available for the child
18-22 under Subdivision (1) or (2), the court shall order the obligor to
18-23 provide health insurance for the child if the court finds that
18-24 health insurance is available for the child from another source and
18-25 that the obligor is financially able to provide it;
18-26 (4) if health insurance is not available for the child
18-27 under Subdivision (1), (2), or (3), the court shall order the
19-1 obligor to apply for coverage through the Texas Healthy Kids
19-2 Corporation established under Chapter 109, Health and Safety Code;
19-3 or
19-4 (5) if health coverage is not available for the child
19-5 under Subdivision (1), (2), (3), or (4), the court shall order the
19-6 obligor to pay the obligee, in addition to any amount ordered under
19-7 the guidelines for child support, a reasonable amount each month as
19-8 medical support for the child to be withheld from earnings under
19-9 Chapter 158.
19-10 (c) In establishing the amount of additional medical child
19-11 support under Subsection (b)(5), the court shall presume that $38
19-12 each month is a reasonable amount for a child but may order a
19-13 greater or lesser amount as appropriate under the circumstances.
19-14 The Health and Human Services Commission may promulgate guidelines
19-15 for the dollar amounts of medical child support that the court may
19-16 presumptively apply in circumstances in which the obligor is
19-17 responsible for medical child support for more than one child.
19-18 SECTION 3. Section 171.063(a), Tax Code, is amended to read
19-19 as follows:
19-20 (a) The following corporations are exempt from the franchise
19-21 tax:
19-22 (1) a nonprofit corporation exempted from the federal
19-23 income tax under Section 501(c)(3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (10),
19-24 or (19), Internal Revenue Code which in the case of a nonprofit
19-25 hospital means a hospital providing charity care and community
19-26 benefits as set forth in Paragraph (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), or
19-27 (G):
20-1 (A) charity care and government-sponsored
20-2 indigent health care are provided at a level which is reasonable in
20-3 relation to the community needs, as determined through the
20-4 community needs assessment, the available resources of the hospital
20-5 or hospital system, and the tax-exempt benefits received by the
20-6 hospital or hospital system;
20-7 (B) charity care and government-sponsored
20-8 indigent health care are provided in an amount equal to at least
20-9 four percent of the hospital's or hospital system's net patient
20-10 revenue;
20-11 (C) charity care and government-sponsored
20-12 indigent health care are provided in an amount equal to at least
20-13 100 percent of the hospital's or hospital system's tax-exempt
20-14 benefits, excluding federal income tax;
20-15 (D) for tax periods beginning before January 1,
20-16 1996, charity care and community benefits are provided in a
20-17 combined amount equal to at least five percent of the hospital's
20-18 net patient revenue, provided that charity care and
20-19 government-sponsored indigent health care are provided in an amount
20-20 equal to at least three percent of net patient revenue;
20-21 (E) for tax periods beginning after December 31,
20-22 1995, charity care and community benefits are provided in a
20-23 combined amount equal to at least five percent of the hospital's or
20-24 hospital system's net patient revenue, provided that charity care
20-25 and government-sponsored indigent health care are provided in an
20-26 amount equal to at least four percent of net patient revenue;
20-27 (F) a nonprofit hospital that has been
21-1 designated as a disproportionate share hospital under the state
21-2 Medicaid program in the current year or in either of the previous
21-3 two fiscal years is considered to have provided a reasonable amount
21-4 of charity care and government-sponsored indigent health care and
21-5 is considered in compliance with the standards provided by this
21-6 subsection; or
21-7 (G) a hospital operated on a nonprofit basis
21-8 that is located in a county with a population of less than 50,000
21-9 and in which the entire county or the population of the entire
21-10 county has been designated as a health professionals shortage area
21-11 is considered in compliance with the standards provided by this
21-12 subsection;
21-13 (2) a corporation exempted under Section 501(c)(2) or
21-14 (25), Internal Revenue Code, if the corporation or corporations for
21-15 which it holds title to property is either exempt from or not
21-16 subject to the franchise tax;
21-17 (3) a corporation exempted from federal income tax
21-18 under Section 501(c)(16), Internal Revenue Code; and
21-19 (4) a nonprofit corporation exempted from the federal
21-20 income tax under Section 501(c)(3), Internal Revenue Code, that
21-21 does not receive any payment for providing health care services to
21-22 inpatients or outpatients from any source including but not limited
21-23 to the patient or person legally obligated to support the patient,
21-24 third-party payors, Medicare, Medicaid, or any other state or local
21-25 indigent care program. Payment for providing health care services
21-26 does not include charitable donations, legacies, bequests, or
21-27 grants or payments for research.
22-1 For purposes of satisfying Paragraph (E) of Subdivision (1),
22-2 a hospital or hospital system may not change its existing fiscal
22-3 year unless the hospital or hospital system changes its ownership
22-4 or corporate structure as a result of a sale or merger.
22-5 For purposes of this subsection, a hospital that satisfies
22-6 Paragraph (A), (F), or (G) of Subdivision (1) shall be excluded in
22-7 determining a hospital system's compliance with the standards
22-8 provided by Paragraph (B), (C), (D), or (E) of Subdivision (1).
22-9 For purposes of this subsection, the terms "charity care,"
22-10 "government-sponsored indigent health care," "health care
22-11 organization," "hospital system," "net patient revenue," "nonprofit
22-12 hospital," and "tax-exempt benefits" have the meanings set forth in
22-13 Sections 311.031 and 311.042, Health and Safety Code. A
22-14 determination of the amount of community benefits and charity care
22-15 and government-sponsored indigent health care provided by a
22-16 hospital or hospital system and the hospital's or hospital system's
22-17 compliance with the requirements of Section 311.045, Health and
22-18 Safety Code, shall be based on the most recently completed and
22-19 audited prior fiscal year of the hospital or hospital system.
22-20 A requirement that a nonprofit hospital provide charity care
22-21 and community benefits under this subsection may be satisfied by a
22-22 donation of money to the Texas Healthy Kids Corporation established
22-23 by Chapter 109, Health and Safety Code, provided that:
22-24 (1) the money is donated to be used for a purpose
22-25 described by Section 109.033(c), Health and Safety Code; and
22-26 (2) not more than 10 percent of the charity care
22-27 required under any provision of this subsection may be satisfied by
23-1 the donation.
23-2 The providing of charity care and government-sponsored
23-3 indigent health care in accordance with Paragraph (A) of
23-4 Subdivision (1) shall be guided by the prudent business judgment of
23-5 the hospital which will ultimately determine the appropriate level
23-6 of charity care and government-sponsored indigent health care based
23-7 on the community needs, the available resources of the hospital,
23-8 the tax-exempt benefits received by the hospital, and other factors
23-9 that may be unique to the hospital, such as the hospital's volume
23-10 of Medicare and Medicaid patients. These criteria shall not be
23-11 determinative factors, but shall be guidelines contributing to the
23-12 hospital's decision along with other factors which may be unique to
23-13 the hospital. The formulas contained in Paragraphs (B), (C), (D),
23-14 and (E) of Subdivision (1) shall also not be considered
23-15 determinative of a reasonable amount of charity care and
23-16 government-sponsored indigent health care.
23-17 The requirements of this subsection shall not apply to the
23-18 extent a hospital or hospital system demonstrates that reductions
23-19 in the amount of community benefits, charity care, and
23-20 government-sponsored indigent health care are necessary to maintain
23-21 financial reserves at a level required by a bond covenant, are
23-22 necessary to prevent the hospital or hospital system from
23-23 endangering its ability to continue operations, or if the hospital,
23-24 as a result of a natural or other disaster, is required
23-25 substantially to curtail its operations.
23-26 In any fiscal year that a hospital or hospital system,
23-27 through unintended miscalculation, fails to meet any of the
24-1 standards in Subdivision (1), the hospital or hospital system shall
24-2 not lose its tax-exempt status without the opportunity to cure the
24-3 miscalculation in the fiscal year following the fiscal year the
24-4 failure is discovered by both meeting one of the standards and
24-5 providing an additional amount of charity care and
24-6 government-sponsored indigent health care that is equal to the
24-7 shortfall from the previous fiscal year. A hospital or hospital
24-8 system may apply this provision only once every five years.
24-9 SECTION 4. The Insurance Code is amended by adding Chapter
24-10 27 to read as follows:
24-11 CHAPTER 27. HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS FOR CHILDREN
24-12 Art. 27.01. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "health benefit
24-13 plan" means a health benefit plan described by Article 27.02 of
24-14 this code.
24-15 Art. 27.02. SCOPE OF CHAPTER. This chapter applies to a
24-16 health benefit plan that:
24-17 (1) provides benefits for medical or surgical expenses
24-18 incurred as a result of a health condition, accident, or sickness,
24-19 including:
24-20 (A) an individual, group, blanket, or franchise
24-21 insurance policy or insurance agreement, a group hospital service
24-22 contract, or an individual or group evidence of coverage that is
24-23 offered by:
24-24 (i) an insurance company;
24-25 (ii) a group hospital service corporation
24-26 operating under Chapter 20 of this code;
24-27 (iii) a fraternal benefit society
25-1 operating under Chapter 10 of this code;
25-2 (iv) a stipulated premium insurance
25-3 company operating under Chapter 22 of this code; or
25-4 (v) a health maintenance organization
25-5 operating under the Texas Health Maintenance Organization Act
25-6 (Chapter 20A, Vernon's Texas Insurance Code); or
25-7 (B) to the extent permitted by the Employee
25-8 Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. Section 1001 et
25-9 seq.), a health benefit plan that is offered by:
25-10 (i) a multiple employer welfare
25-11 arrangement as defined by Section 3, Employee Retirement Income
25-12 Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. Section 1002) or another analogous
25-13 benefit arrangement; or
25-14 (ii) any other entity not licensed under
25-15 this code or another insurance law of this state that contracts
25-16 directly for health care services on a risk sharing basis,
25-17 including an entity that contracts for health care services on a
25-18 capitation basis; or
25-19 (2) is offered by an approved nonprofit health
25-20 corporation that is certified under Section 5.01(a), Medical
25-21 Practice Act (Article 4495b, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), and
25-22 that holds a certificate of authority issued by the commissioner
25-23 under Article 21.52F of this code.
25-24 Art. 27.03. CHILDREN'S HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN. (a) The issuer
25-25 of a health benefit plan may offer a children's health benefit plan
25-26 in accordance with this chapter. The health benefit plan may
25-27 provide coverage only to children younger than 18 years of age.
26-1 (b) An issuer of a health benefit plan may not offer a
26-2 children's health benefit plan under this chapter unless the plan's
26-3 structure and the benefits offered under the plan have been
26-4 approved by the commissioner.
26-5 Art. 27.04. MANDATED BENEFIT PROVISIONS INAPPLICABLE. A
26-6 children's health benefit plan is not subject to a law that
26-7 requires coverage or the offer of coverage of a health care service
26-8 or benefit.
26-9 Art. 27.05. EXEMPTION FROM PREMIUM TAX. The issuer of a
26-10 children's health benefit plan is not subject to the premium tax
26-11 imposed by Article 4.11 of this code or the tax on revenues imposed
26-12 under Section 33, Texas Health Maintenance Organization Act
26-13 (Article 20A.33, Vernon's Texas Insurance Code), with respect to
26-14 money received for coverage provided under that plan.
26-15 Art. 27.06. RULES. The commissioner may adopt rules to
26-16 implement this chapter.
26-17 SECTION 5. (a) Notwithstanding Section 109.032, Health and
26-18 Safety Code, as added by this Act, the initial board of directors
26-19 of the Texas Healthy Kids Corporation appointed under this section
26-20 shall be composed of:
26-21 (1) six members appointed by the governor with the
26-22 advice and consent of the senate;
26-23 (2) the commissioner of health and human services or
26-24 the commissioner's designee, who serves as a voting ex officio
26-25 member;
26-26 (3) the commissioner of insurance or the
26-27 commissioner's designee, who serves as a voting ex officio member;
27-1 and
27-2 (4) the director of the Title IV-D agency, or the
27-3 director's designee, who serves as a voting ex officio member.
27-4 (b) The governor shall appoint the members of the board of
27-5 directors appointed under Subsection (a)(1) of this section as soon
27-6 as practical after the effective date of this Act. The terms of
27-7 those members expire on September 1, 1999.
27-8 (c) On expiration of the terms of the initial appointed
27-9 members of the board, the governor shall appoint four members for
27-10 terms expiring September 1, 2001, and two of the formerly appointed
27-11 positions shall be filled as provided by the articles and bylaws of
27-12 the corporation.
27-13 (d) On expiration of the terms of the four members appointed
27-14 under Subsection (c), the governor shall appoint two members to
27-15 serve terms expiring September 1, 2003. The two other positions of
27-16 the formerly appointed members shall be filled as provided by the
27-17 articles and bylaws of the corporation.
27-18 (e) After September 1, 2003, all members of the board of
27-19 directors shall be selected as provided by Section 109.032, Health
27-20 and Safety Code, as added by this Act.
27-21 (f) A person is not eligible for appointment by the governor
27-22 to the board of directors under this section if the person does not
27-23 satisfy the requirements of Section 109.032, Health and Safety
27-24 Code, as added by this Act.
27-25 (g) The members of the board shall annually elect a member
27-26 to serve as the presiding officer of the board.
27-27 (h) Members of the board of directors appointed by the
28-1 governor serving under this section serve without compensation, but
28-2 are entitled to reimbursement of their travel expenses as provided
28-3 for in the General Appropriations Act for state board or commission
28-4 members. Money appropriated to the Texas Department of Insurance,
28-5 the Health and Human Services Commission, or the Title IV-D agency
28-6 may be spent, consistent with the General Appropriations Act, in
28-7 connection with the work or expenses of the ex officio members of
28-8 the initial board of directors.
28-9 (i) This section expires September 1, 2003.
28-10 SECTION 6. (a) Not later than the 60th day after the
28-11 effective date of this Act, the commissioner of insurance, acting
28-12 as incorporator, shall take the steps necessary to create the Texas
28-13 Healthy Kids Corporation as a nonprofit corporation under the Texas
28-14 Non-Profit Corporation Act (Article 1396-1.01 et seq., Vernon's
28-15 Texas Civil Statutes).
28-16 (b) Not later than the 90th day after the effective date of
28-17 this Act, the commissioner of insurance, acting on behalf of the
28-18 Texas Healthy Kids Corporation, shall employ an acting executive
28-19 director for the corporation. The acting executive director may:
28-20 (1) develop a proposed business plan for the
28-21 corporation;
28-22 (2) solicit alternative funding for the corporation
28-23 and for the health benefit plan program to be established by the
28-24 corporation; and
28-25 (3) develop, to the extent possible, a proposed health
28-26 benefit plan program for the consideration of the board of
28-27 directors of the Texas Healthy Kids Corporation.
29-1 (c) The commissioner of insurance, on behalf of the
29-2 corporation, may accept grants and gifts of money, property, or
29-3 services to assist the acting executive director appointed under
29-4 Subsection (b) of this section in carrying out the acting executive
29-5 director's powers. The commissioner's authority under this section
29-6 expires on the date all of the appointed members of the board of
29-7 directors of the Texas Healthy Kids Corporation have been appointed
29-8 by the governor and have qualified for office.
29-9 (d) The acting executive director appointed under this
29-10 section serves until the earlier of:
29-11 (1) the date the acting executive director is
29-12 dismissed by the commissioner of insurance;
29-13 (2) the date the acting executive director is
29-14 dismissed by the board of directors of the Texas Healthy Kids
29-15 Corporation; or
29-16 (3) the date the board of directors of the corporation
29-17 employs an executive director for the corporation.
29-18 (e) Notwithstanding Subsection (b) of this section, the
29-19 commissioner of insurance may not employ an acting executive
29-20 director on or after the date all of the appointed members of the
29-21 board of directors of the Texas Healthy Kids Corporation have been
29-22 appointed and have qualified for office.
29-23 SECTION 7. (a) The Texas Healthy Kids Corporation shall
29-24 offer a health benefit plan under Chapter 109, Health and Safety
29-25 Code, as added by this Act, not later than the first anniversary of
29-26 the effective date of this Act.
29-27 (b) Not later than the date the Texas Healthy Kids
30-1 Corporation first offers a health benefit plan in accordance with
30-2 Subsection (a) of this section, the board of directors of the Texas
30-3 Healthy Kids Corporation shall:
30-4 (1) establish general administrative and accounting
30-5 procedures for the corporation;
30-6 (2) develop the design and benefits structure of any
30-7 health benefit plan that may be offered by the corporation through
30-8 eligible coverage providers in accordance with Chapter 109, Health
30-9 and Safety Code, as added by this Act; and
30-10 (3) develop a plan for the receipt and consideration
30-11 of complaints as required by Section 109.065, Health and Safety
30-12 Code, as added by this Act.
30-13 (c) The board of directors of the Texas Healthy Kids
30-14 Corporation shall determine whether it is feasible, considering the
30-15 resources available, to initially offer the health benefit plan
30-16 required under Chapter 109, Health and Safety Code, as added by
30-17 this Act, in each region of the state. If the board determines
30-18 that it is not feasible to initially offer the health benefit plan
30-19 on a statewide basis, the board shall develop and the corporation
30-20 shall implement a schedule to stagger implementation of the health
30-21 benefit program in different regions of the state.
30-22 SECTION 8. The issuer of a health benefit plan may not offer
30-23 a children's health benefit plan under Chapter 27, Insurance Code,
30-24 as added by this Act, before January 1, 1998.
30-25 SECTION 9. A court may not order that coverage be provided
30-26 to a child through the Texas Healthy Kids Corporation under Section
30-27 154.182, Family Code, as amended by this Act, before the date that
31-1 corporation first offers coverage under a health benefit plan.
31-2 SECTION 10. As soon as practicable after the effective date
31-3 of this Act, the Title IV-D agency shall seek the modification of
31-4 child support orders that are enforced by the agency and to which
31-5 Section 154.182(b)(5), Family Code, as added by this Act, applies
31-6 to obtain additional medical child support under that subdivision.
31-7 SECTION 11. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of
31-8 this section, this Act takes effect immediately.
31-9 (b) Section 3 of this Act takes effect January 1, 1998, and
31-10 applies to a report originally due on or after that date.
31-11 SECTION 12. The importance of this legislation and the
31-12 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
31-13 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
31-14 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
31-15 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
31-16 and that this Act take effect and be in force according to its
31-17 terms, and it is so enacted.