Amend HB 2748 by adding the following SECTIONS, appropriately
numbered, and by renumbering the SECTIONS of the bill accordingly:
      SECTION _________. The Texas Health Maintenance Organization
Act (Chapter 20A, Vernon's Texas Insurance Code) is amended by
adding Section 9F to read as follows:
      Sec. 9F.  USE OF PEDIATRICIAN AS PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN.  (a)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a parent of a
minor enrollee may choose and use any pediatrician as the minor
enrollee's primary care physician without paying an additional fee
or premium.
      (b)  The parent shall notify the health maintenance
organization of the parent's choice of pediatrician in the manner
prescribed by the Texas Department of Insurance.  The notice
required under this subsection must:
            (1)  include all information required by the Texas
Department of Insurance, including a statement indicating the name
of the pediatrician; and
            (2)  be signed by the parent and the pediatrician
interested in serving as the minor enrollee's primary care
physician.
      (c)  To be eligible to serve as the minor enrollee's primary
care physician, the pediatrician must:
            (1)  meet the health maintenance organization's
requirements for participation as a primary care physician; and
            (2)  be willing to coordinate all of the minor
enrollee's health care needs.
      SECTION_______.  Section 9E, Texas Health Maintenance
Organization Act (Chapter 20A, Vernon's Texas Insurance Code),  as
added by this Act, applies only to an evidence of coverage
delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1,
2000.  An evidence of coverage delivered, issued for delivery, or
renewed before January 1, 2000, is governed by the law as it
existed immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that
law is continued in effect for that purpose.