SRC-DPW H.B. 747 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 747
76R11106 JRD-DBy: Gallego (Shapleigh)
Health Services
5/13/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Medical peer review committees may evaluate the competence of a physician
or the quality of medical and health care services afforded to patients.
Current law protects the minutes and journals of medical peer review
committee hearings. However, in cases where the governing body of a public
hospital, hospital district, or hospital authority conducts a meeting to
evaluate the competence of a physician or the quality of medical and care
services afforded to patients, the law may not clearly protect the minutes
and journals of the meeting. H.B. 747 provides that the term "medical peer
review committee" or "professional review body" includes the governing body
of a public hospital, hospital authority, or hospital district, in relation
to the body's evaluation of the competence of a physician or the quality of
medical or health care services.  

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 747 relates to certain evaluations made by the governing
body of a hospital district, hospital authority, or public hospital. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 1.03(a)(6), Medical Practice Act, Article
4495b,V.T.C.S., to provide that the term "medical peer review committee"
or"professional review body" includes the governing body of a public
hospital owned or operated by a governmental entity, the governing body of
a hospital authority created under Chapter 262 or 264, Health and Safety
Code, and the governing body of a hospital district created under Article
IX, Texas Constitution, but only in relation to the governing body's
evaluation of the competence of a physician or the quality of medical and
health care services provided by the public hospital, hospital authority,
or hospital district, to the extent that the evaluation involves
discussions or records that could identify an individual patient or
physician.  

SECTION 2.Emergency clause. 
  Effective date: upon passage.