Amend CSHB 2498 by striking all below the enacting clause and
substituting the following:
      SECTION 1.  LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS. (a)  The legislature finds
that it is in the best interest of the state to find a
cost-effective manner of delivering health care services through
affordable health care plans to citizens residing on both sides of
the Texas-Mexico border.
      (b)  The legislature further finds that the provision of
health care coverage in the border area is not conducive to
preventive care or prenatal care, or to the provision of a medical
home for binational families.
      SECTION 2.  INTERIM COMMITTEE. (a)  An interim committee is
established to study the provision of binational health benefit
plan coverage. The interim committee is composed of seven members
as follows:
            (1)  the commissioner of insurance;
            (2)  the commissioner of health and human services;
            (3)  one member of the Texas House of Representatives
from a border community, appointed by the speaker of the house;
            (4)  one member of the Texas Senate from a border
community, appointed by the lieutenant governor;
            (5)  one member who represents health maintenance
organizations, appointed by the governor;
            (6)  one member who represents hospitals, appointed by
the governor; and
            (7)  one member who is a medical practitioner,
appointed by the governor.
      (b)  The committee members shall be appointed not later than
August 1, 2001.  The members of the house and senate who serve on
the committee shall act as joint presiding officers of the
committee.
      SECTION 3.  COMMITTEE DUTIES. The interim committee appointed
under this Act shall hold hearings in the border areas of the state
to:
            (1)  determine the need for binational health benefit
plan coverage;
            (2)  assess the health care needs of the border area
and how those needs can be served by various types of providers;
and
            (3)  assess the affordability, cost-effectiveness,
economic impact, and improved health status achievable through
binational health benefit plan coverage.
      SECTION 4.  COMMITTEE REPORT. Not later than October 1, 2002,
the interim committee appointed under this Act shall issue a report
of findings and recommendations for administrative action and
legislation during <><>the next session of the legislature.  The report
shall be filed with the governor, lieutenant governor, and the
speaker of the house of representatives.
      SECTION 5.  EXPIRATION. This Act expires December 31, 2002.
      SECTION 6.  EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect immediately
if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to
each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas
Constitution.  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2001.