SRC-JEC S.B. 583 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 583 77R2629 CAS-DBy: Duncan Health & Human Services 2/13/2001 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, a hospital can hold a lien for services provided during a patient's first 100 days of treatment. An emergency room physician often does not get compensated. The collection rate for trauma treatment is low. As proposed, S.B. 583 provides for the lien to include the emergency room physician's compensation. 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 Section 55.004, Property Code, to define "emergency hospital care." Authorizes the lien to also include the amount of a physician's reasonable and necessary charges for emergency hospital care provided to the injured individual during the first seven days of the injured individual's hospitalization. Authorizes the hospital, at the request of the physician, to act on the physician's behalf in securing and discharging the lien. Provides that the lien does not cover charges for operating costs that exceed the cost limits established under Section 413.30, 42 Code of Federal Regulations; other services that exceed a reasonable and regular rate for the services; or any services for which the physician has accepted insurance benefits or payment under a private medical indemnity plan or program. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2001. Makes application of this Act prospective.