SRC-SLL H.B. 1211 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1211 76R5402 DLF-FBy: Averitt (Sibley) Economic Development 5/11/1999 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, the Health Insurance Portability and Availability Act regulates Texas' small and large employer insurance market. Each small employer carrier must provide the small employer health benefit plans without regard to health status related factors. Each small employer carrier is required to issue the plan chosen by the small employer to each small employer that elects to be covered under that plan and agrees to satisfy the other requirements of the plan. H.B. 1211 would clarify language with regard to small employer plans offered by health maintenance organizations in Texas. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 1211 clarifies language with regard to small employer plans offered by health maintenance organizations in Texas. 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 Article 26.48(a), Insurance Code, to authorize a health maintenance organization to offer a state-approved health benefit plan that complies with this chapter, the Texas Health Maintenance Organization Act (Chapter 20A, V.T.I.C.), Title XIII, Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. Section 300e et seq.), and its subsequent amendments, and rules adopted under these laws, rather than under that Act. Deletes existing text regarding small employer health benefit plans. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.