By Berlanga H.B. No. 1511 75R3580 JSA-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the administration and allocation of federal Medicaid 1-3 and other funds used to pay for graduate medical education. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Human Resources Code, 1-6 is amended by adding Section 32.0315 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 32.0315. FUNDS FOR GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION. (a) The 1-8 department shall establish procedures and formulas for the 1-9 allocation of federal medical assistance funds that are directed to 1-10 be used to support graduate medical education in connection with 1-11 the medical assistance program. 1-12 (b) In a formula established under this section, the 1-13 department shall allocate the funds in the manner the department 1-14 determines most effectively and equitably achieves the purposes for 1-15 which those federal funds are received consistent with the needs 1-16 of this state for graduate medical education and the training of 1-17 health care professionals in appropriate fields and specialties, 1-18 taking into account other money available to support graduate 1-19 medical education. In determining the needs of this state for 1-20 graduate medical education, the department shall give emphasis to 1-21 graduate medical education in family practice and other primary 1-22 care specialties. 1-23 (c) The department shall consult with the Texas Higher 1-24 Education Coordinating Board before adopting or revising a formula 2-1 under this section. At the request of the department, the 2-2 coordinating board shall provide the department with any 2-3 information the board possesses to assist the department in 2-4 administering this section. 2-5 SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is 2-6 amended by adding Section 61.0594 to read as follows: 2-7 Sec. 61.0594. COORDINATED FUNDING OF GRADUATE MEDICAL 2-8 EDUCATION. (a) The board shall administer a program to support 2-9 graduate medical education programs in this state consistent with 2-10 the needs of this state for graduate medical education and the 2-11 training of health care professionals in appropriate fields and 2-12 specialties, including family practice and other primary care 2-13 specialties. 2-14 (b) From money available to the program, the board may make 2-15 grants or formula distributions to: 2-16 (1) support appropriate graduate medical education 2-17 programs and activities for which adequate funds are not otherwise 2-18 available; or 2-19 (2) foster new or expanded graduate medical education 2-20 programs or activities that the board determines will address the 2-21 state's needs for graduate medical education. 2-22 (c) The program is funded by appropriations, by gifts, 2-23 grants, and donations made to support the program, and by any other 2-24 funds the board obtains, including federal funds, for the program. 2-25 From program funds, the comptroller of public accounts shall issue 2-26 warrants to each eligible institution or other entity receiving a 2-27 grant or distribution from the program in the amount certified by 3-1 the board. An amount granted to an institution or other entity 3-2 under the program may be used only to support the particular 3-3 program or activity for which the award is made in accordance with 3-4 any conditions imposed by the board and may not otherwise be 3-5 expended for the general support of the institution or entity. 3-6 (d) The board may appoint an advisory committee to advise 3-7 the board regarding the development and administration of the 3-8 program, including considering requests for program grants and 3-9 establishing formulas for distribution of money under the program. 3-10 SECTION 3. (a) This Act takes effect September 1, 1997. 3-11 (b) Section 32.0315, Human Resources Code, as added by this 3-12 Act, applies to the distribution of federal medical assistance 3-13 funds for the support of graduate medical education received on or 3-14 after the effective date of this Act, and to any such federal funds 3-15 received before the effective date of this Act that have not been 3-16 promised, obligated, or otherwise identified for distribution to 3-17 specific entities before the effective date. 3-18 SECTION 4. The importance of this legislation and the 3-19 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 3-20 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 3-21 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 3-22 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.