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.