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.