SRC-JEC S.B. 514 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 514
77R3402 YDB-DBy: Truan
Health & Human Services
3/26/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Texas is experiencing a shortage of many  health care
professionals, including pharmacists, advanced practice nurses, and
registered nurses.  As proposed, S.B. 514 expands grant programs formerly
limited to physicians to include other health care professionals, to help
alleviate shortages in medically underserved communities. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the executive committee of the
Center for Rural Health Initiatives in SECTION 4 (Section 106.104, Health
and Safety Code) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 106.101, Health and Safety Code, to define
"health care professional." 

SECTION 2.  Amends Sections 106.102(a), (b), (c), and (d), Health and
Safety Code, to require the executive committee of the Center for Rural
Health Initiatives (executive committee) to establish and administer a
program under this subchapter to increase the number of health care
professionals providing or assisting in the provision of primary care in
medically underserved communities.  Prohibits the executive committee from
paying more than $25,000 for eligible physicians and $25,000 for eligible
health care professionals to a community in a fiscal year unless the
executive committee makes a specific finding of need by the community.
Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 106.103, Health and Safety Code, to make
conforming changes. 

SECTION 4.  Amends Section 106.104, Health and Safety Code, to require the
executive committee to adopt rules necessary for the administration of this
subchapter, including eligibility criteria for health care professionals
and conditions under which state money is required to be paid by a
community, physician, or health care professional.  Makes a conforming
change. 

SECTION 5.  Amends Section 106.151, Health and Safety Code, to make
conforming changes. 

SECTION 6.  Amends Section 106.152, Health and Safety Code, to make a
conforming change. 

SECTION 7.  Amends Section 106.154, Health and Safety Code, to make
conforming changes. 

SECTION 8.  Amends Section 106.155, Health and Safety Code, to make
conforming changes. 

SECTION 9.  Effective date:  September 1, 2001.