SRC-MKV H.B. 2700 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2700
By: Chavez (Duncan)
Health & Human Services
4/27/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Texas faces unique challenges within its health care system. Texas has
experienced a large population increase in the last decade, including an
increase in the Hispanic population. Rural border areas are often medically
underserved and tend to have lower Medicaid reimbursement rates. H.B. 2700
requires the Health and Human Services Commission to establish telemedicine
pilot programs in such areas to enhance health care services and provides
for reimbursement and regulation of telemedicine services.  

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 Sections
531.02171 and 531.02172, as follows: 

Sec. 531.02171.  TELEMEDICINE PILOT PROGRAMS.  (a)  Defines "telemedicine
medical service." 

 (b)  Requires the Health and Human Services Commission (commission) to
establish pilot programs in designated areas of this state under which the
commission, in administering government-funded health programs, is
authorized to   reimburse a health care professional participating in the
pilot program for telemedicine medical services authorized under the
licensing law applicable to the health care professional.  Requires each
pilot program established before January 1, 2003, to provide services in
areas of this state that are not more than 150 miles from the border
between this state and the United Mexican States. 

(c)  Requires the commission to carry out certain duties in developing and
operating a pilot program under this section. 
  
Sec. 531.02172.  TELEMEDICINE ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a)  Requires the
commissioner of health and human services (commissioner) to establish an
advisory committee to assist the commission in certain duties. 
  
  (b)  Requires the advisory committee to include certain members.
  
(c)  Provides that a member of the advisory committee serves at the will of
the commissioner. 
 
SECTION 2.  Amends Chapter 57C, Utilities Code, by adding Section 57.0471,
as follows: 

Sec. 57.0471.  GRANTS TO CERTAIN HEALTH CARE FACILITIES.  Provides that a
health care facility providing telemedicine medical services and
participating in a pilot program under Section 531.02171, Government Code,
is eligible to receive a grant under Section 57.047, but is not entitled to
the discounts specified in Chapter 58G (Infrastructure Commitment to
Certain Entities), unless otherwise eligible to receive those discounts as
provided by that subchapter. 

SECTION 3.  Repealer: Section 531.0217(h) (relating to the commissioner
establishing an advisory committee), Government Code. 

SECTION 4.  (a)  Requires that, not later than December 31, 2001, the
commissioner of health and human services establish the telemedical
consultation advisory committee as required by Section 531.02172,
Government Code, as added by this Act. 

(b)  Requires that, not later than September 1, 2003, the advisory
committee established under Section 531.02172, Government Code, as added by
this Act, prepare a report relating to the implementation of the pilot
programs established under Section 531.02171, Government Code, as added by
this Act, and provide the report to the governor, lieutenant governor,
speaker of the house of representatives, and appropriate standing
committees of the senate and house of representatives. 
 
SECTION 5.  Provides that the advisory committee established under Section
531.0217(h), Government Code, is abolished on the effective date of this
Act. 
 
SECTION 6.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.