By Averitt                                            H.B. No. 1211
         76R5402 DLF-F                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to health maintenance organization plans for small
 1-3     employers.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Article 26.48(a), Insurance Code, is amended to
 1-6     read as follows:
 1-7           (a)  A [Instead of the small employer health benefit plans
 1-8     described by this subchapter, a] health maintenance organization
 1-9     may offer:
1-10                 (1)  a state-approved health benefit plan that complies
1-11     with this chapter, the Texas Health Maintenance Organization Act
1-12     (Chapter 20A, Vernon's Texas Insurance Code), [the requirements of]
1-13     Title XIII, Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. Section 300e et
1-14     seq.), and its subsequent amendments, and rules adopted under these
1-15     laws [that  Act];
1-16                 (2)  a plan developed by the commissioner under Article
1-17     26.44A of this code and additional benefit riders to the plan; or
1-18                 (3)  a point-of-service contract in connection with an
1-19     insurance carrier that includes optional coverage for out-of-area
1-20     services, emergency care, or out-of-network care.
1-21           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1999.
1-22           SECTION 3.  The importance of this legislation and the
1-23     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
1-24     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
 2-1     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
 2-2     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.