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.