SRC-DPW H.B. 1919 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1919 76R13131 AJA-FBy: Gallego (Harris) Administration 5/14/1999 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, Texas leads the nation in the number of health insurance mandates issued. These mandates are cost drivers for health insurance. For every one percent increase in premiums, 16,000 Texans lose health insurance coverage. This bill would allow the interim committee, with the assistance of the Department of Insurance, to study the effect of mandated benefits. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 1919 requires a legislative review of health care benefits that are mandated to be provided by health benefit plans. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. JOINT INTERIM COMMITTEE ON HEALTH BENEFIT MANDATES. Requires the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house of representatives to appoint a joint interim committee (committee) to study health care benefits mandated by law to be provided by health benefit plans. Requires the committee to make certain determinations, develop recommendations regarding methods that would allow the legislature to accurately and timely assess the costs and benefits of proposed mandated benefits, and address any other issues related to health care benefits as determined by the committee. Requires the Texas Department of Insurance (department) to assist the committee in conducting the study. Requires the department, at the direction of the committee, to contract with other entities to assist in conducting all or part of the study. Requires the committee to submit a report and recommendations to the legislature in a manner established by the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house of representatives. Requires the committee to complete the report and recommendations not later than January 1, 2001, and provides that this Act expires and the committee is abolished June 1, 2001. SECTION 2.Emergency clause. Effective date: 90 days after adjournment.