SRC-MKV H.B. 2287 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2287
By: Edwards (Moncrief)
Health & Human Services
5/9/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Hospitals receive compensation for services rendered under the medical
assistance program through a reimbursement fund. Attending physicians at
such hospitals who provide medical services to patients covered for those
services under the medical assistance program are offered little to no
compensation and may be hesitant to treat such patients. H.B. 2287
authorizes a disproportionate share hospital to contract with physicians to
provide medical services to indigent patients based on the hospital's
indigent care eligibility criteria.  

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 Chapter 531B, Government Code, by adding Section
531.055, as follows: 

Sec. 531.055.  USE OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE REIMBURSEMENTS.  Authorizes the
health and human services commission by rule to provide a method by which a
hospital designated as a disproportionate share hospital may contract with
physicians to provide medical services to indigent patients based on the
hospital's indigent care eligibility criteria. 

SECTION 2.  Requires a state agency affected by a provision of this Act to
request a waiver or authorization and authorizes the agency to delay
implementing that provision until the waiver or authorization is granted,
if the agency determines before implementing any provision of this Act that
a waiver or authorization from a federal agency is necessary. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.