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.