SRC-AXB S.B. 983 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 983
By: Madla
Human Services
6/30/1999
Enrolled


DIGEST 

Currently, the Texas Department of Health defines a branch office for home
health agencies' license requirements as being within 70 miles of a main
office.  However, there are many remote areas of Texas which cannot be
reached within 70 miles of anything.  Ten years ago, the Health Care
Financing Administration first instructed its surveyors that driving time
and distance should not be used as a criteria in evaluating a branch
office.  S.B.  983 requires the commissioner of health and human services
to contact the federal Health Care Financing Administration to request the
adoption of certain rules regarding modern methods of communication and
driving distance requirements. 

PURPOSE

As enrolled, S.B. 983 requires the commissioner of health and human
services to contact the federal Health Care Financing Administration to
request the adoption of certain rules. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Requires the commissioner of health and human services to
contact the federal Health Care Financing Administration to request the
adoption of rules which allow certain agencies to use modern methods of
communication, and which eliminate driving distance requirements. 

SECTION 2.Effective date:  September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.Emergency clause.