SRC-TBR H.B. 849 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 849
77R12802 EBy: Coleman (Gallegos)
Business & Commerce
5/10/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The 75th Legislature significantly increased health benefit coverage for
those who suffer from mental illnesses by requiring certain health
maintenance organizations and group insurance plans to provide coverage for
medical treatment of serious mental illnesses.  However, these changes did
not extend coverage to those suffering from eating disorders, illnesses
mainly affecting women ages 10 to 20. Statistically, one to four percent of
women suffer from anorexia or bulimia in their lifetime and without
treatment up to 20 percent of people with a serious eating disorder die.
H.B. 849 includes anorexia and bulimia in the definition of a "serious
mental illness" to extend insurance coverage to include such medical
conditions.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 1(1), Article 3.51-14, Insurance Code, to
redefine "serious mental illness." 

SECTION 2.  (a) Requires the Sunset Advisory Commission, on or before
September 1, 2006, to conduct a study to make certain determinations. 

(b)  Requires the Sunset Advisory Commission to report its findings under
this section to the legislature on or before January 1, 2007. 

(c)  Requires the Texas Department of Insurance and any other state agency
to cooperate with the Sunset Advisory Commission as necessary to implement
this section. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.  Makes application of this
Act prospective.