SRC-CTC H.B. 2602 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2602
77R11449 JRD-FBy: Coleman (Moncrief)
Health & Human Services
5/4/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

In 1999, the 76th Legislature updated the state Indigent Health Care and
Treatment Act of 1985, shifting the focus of county indigent health care
programs to primary and preventive care, and giving counties more
flexibility to administer local programs tailored to meet local needs. The
changes lowered the spending threshold that a county must surpass to
receive state financial assistance, created a list of optional services a
county may provide and receive credit toward its threshold, and allowed
counties to use less restrictive eligibility standards.  Accountability was
increased by allowing providers to collect eligibility information from
patients, permitting the Texas Department of Health to resolve eligibility
disputes and improve reporting.  H.B. 2602 ensures proper implementation of
the reforms enacted in 1999 by clarifying various provisions of the
Indigent Health Care and Treatment Act. 

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 61.006(b), Health and Safety Code, to require
the minimum eligibility standards to incorporate a net income eligibility
level equal to 21, rather than 25, percent of the federal poverty level
based on the federal Office of Management and Budget poverty index. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 61.032(e), Health and Safety Code, to authorize
the county or the provider, if the county and the provider disagree on the
patient's eligibility, to submit the matter to the Texas Department of
Health as provided by Section 61.004. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 61.0395, Health and Safety Code, to delete
existing text related to adopting rules governing the distribution of state
assistance. 

SECTION 4.  Amends Section 61.059(e), Health and Safety Code, to make a
conforming change. 

SECTION 5.  Amends Section 46.003(f), Health and Safety Code, as added by
Chapter 969, Acts of the 76th Legislature, Regular Session, 1999, to
require the account to be allocated for payment of state assistance as
provided for in Chapter 61. 

SECTION 6.  Amends Section 466.408(b), Government Code, to authorize money
deposited in the tertiary care facility account to only be appropriated to
the department for purposes specified in Chapter 61 (Indigent Health Care
and Treatment Act), Health and Safety Code. 

SECTION 7.  Repealer: Section 61.006(b-2), Health and Safety Code.

SECTION 8.  (a) Provides that the changes in law made by this Act to
Chapter 61, Health and Safety Code, take effect September 1, 2001. 

 (b) Effective date: upon passage or 90 days after adjournment, except as
provided by Subsection (a) of this section.