SRC-EPT, TBR S.B. 496 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 496
By: Shapleigh
Business & Commerce
6/13/2001
Enrolled


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, there is no mechanism providing for a study to examine the legal
and practical impediments to providing binational health benefit coverage
and to allow Texans to determine how best to pursue the issue of binational
health benefit plan coverage.  As proposed, S.B. 496 authorizes the Texas
Department of Insurance and the Texas Department of Health to study the
provision of health benefit coverage to individuals who are not residents
of this state or another state of the United States. 

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.  (a)  Requires the Texas Department of Insurance and the Texas
Department of Health to jointly study the provision in this state of health
benefit coverage to individuals who are not residents of this state or
another state of the United States.  Requires the study to identify legal
and practical impediments to providing binational health benefit coverage
and include recommendations to facilitate provision of binational health
plan coverage. 

(b)  Authorizes the commissioner of insurance and the Texas Board of Health
to jointly appoint an advisory committee under Chapter 2110 (State Agency
Advisory Committees), Government Code, to assist the departments in
conducting the study required by this Act. 

(c)  Requires that, not later than November 1, 2002, the Texas Department
of Health and the Texas Department of Insurance jointly issue a report
describing the departments' recommendations, including proposals for
legislation.  Requires the departments to file the report with the
governor, lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of
representatives. 

SECTION 2.  Provides that this Act expires December 31, 2002.

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