Amend CSHB 3021 by adding a new SECTION 5 as follows and
renumbering the remaining sections appropriately:
      SECTION 5. Amend the Insurance Code, by adding a new Article
3.70-3D as follows:
      Art. 370-3D. Independent Consumer Assistance Program for
Health Maintenance Organizations.
      (a)  The independent consumer assistance program for health
maintenance organizations is established. The Office of Public
Insurance Counsel shall contract, through a request for proposals,
with a nonprofit organization to operate the program.
      (b)  The nonprofit organization:
            (1)  must not be involved in providing health care or
health care plans and must demonstrate that it has expertise in
providing direct assistance to consumers with respect to their
concerns and problems with health maintenance organizations; and
            (2)  may establish an advisory committee composed of
consumers, health care providers, and health care plan
representatives.
      (c)  The program shall:
            (1)  assist individual consumers in complaints or
appeals within the operation of a health maintenance organization,
including mediations and arbitrations, and outside of the operation
of a health maintenance organization including appeals under
Article 21.58A of this code or in Medicaid and Medicare fair
hearings;
            (2)  supplement and not duplicate the functions
provided by existing programs or state agencies and shall refer
consumers to other programs or agencies if appropriate; and
            (3)  operate a state-wide toll-free assistance
telephone number.
      (d)  The program may:
            (1)  serve as a statewide clearing house for objective
consumer information about health care coverage, including options
for obtaining health care coverage; and
            (2)  accept gifts, grants, or donations from any source
for the purpose of operating the program. The program may charge
reasonable fees to consumers to support the program.