SRC-JBJ, JEC,S.B. 126 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 126
77R115 JAT-DBy: Madla
Intergovernmental Relations
1/30/2001
Committee Report (Amended)


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, rural areas of  Texas are experiencing a great shortage of
health care professional practices.  As proposed, S.B. 126 establishes the
Rural Communities Health Care Investment Program.  This program provides
for loan repayment assistance and financial stipends for health care
professionals who relocate or initiate their practices in rural areas. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to the executive committee of the Center
for Rural Health Initiatives  in SECTION 1 (Section 106.306, Health and
Safety Code) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 106, Health and Safety Code, by adding
Subchapter H, as follows: 

SUBCHAPTER H.  RURAL COMMUNITIES HEALTH CARE INVESTMENT PROGRAM

Sec. 106.301.  DEFINITIONS.  Defines "health professional" and "medically
underserved community." 

Sec. 106.302.   ADVISORY PANEL.  Requires the Center for Rural Health
Initiatives (center) to appoint an advisory panel to assist in the center's
duties under this subchapter, and requires the advisory panel to consist of
certain individuals.   

Sec.  106.303.  LOAN REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM.  Requires the executive
committee of the center to establish a program to provide loan
reimbursement  for health professionals who agree to serve in medically
underserved communities. 

Sec.  106.304.  STIPEND PROGRAM.  Requires the executive committee to
establish a program to provide a stipend for health professionals who agree
to serve in medically underserved communities. 
  
Sec.  106.305.  CONTRACT REQUIRED.  Authorizes a health care professional
to receive assistance under this subchapter only if the health professional
signs a contract agreeing to provide health care services in a medically
underserved community, and authorizes a student in a degree program
preparing to become a health professional to contract with the center prior
to obtaining a health professional license in order to participate in the
loan reimbursement program.  Authorizes the center to contract with a
health professional for part-time services under the stipend program, and
provides that a health professional who participates in any loan
reimbursement program is not eligible for a stipend.  Requires the contract
under this section to provide that a health professional who does not
provide the required services to the community or provides those services
for less than the required time is personally liable to the state for
certain reimbursements. 

Sec. 106.306.  POWERS AND DUTIES OF CENTER.  Requires the executive
committee to  adopt rules necessary for the administration of this
subchapter that must include certain guidelines. Authorizes the executive
committee by rule to designate areas of the state as medically underserved
communities, and requires the executive committee to make reasonable
efforts to contract with health professionals from a variety of different
health professions. 

Sec. 106.307.  TRUST FUND.  Provides that the rural communities health care
investment program trust fund is created with the state comptroller, and
requires the trust fund to be administered by the center as trustee on
behalf of medically underserved communities.  Authorizes the center to
accept and administer gifts and grants, as the trust fund trustee, from any
public or private person or entity for the use and benefit of any program
described or created under this chapter. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Chapter 61C, Education Code, by adding Section 61.0899,
as follows: 

Sec. 61.0899.  ASSISTANCE IN CERTAIN RURAL HEALTH CARE LOAN FORGIVENESS
PROGRAMS.  Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (board),
in cooperation with the center and the center's advisory panel established
under Section 106.302, Health and Safety Code, to develop a program that
requires the board and any institution of higher education to seek and
obtain the maximum amount of funds from any source, including federal
funds, to support the loan reimbursement and stipend program. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2001.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

Committee Amendment No. 1

Committee Report (Amended), SECTION 1, Section 106.301, Health and Safety
Code, differs from the original by redefining "medically underserved
community," removing rulemaking authority expressly granted to the Center
for Rural Health Initiatives in the original.