By Hawley                                             H.B. No. 2423
         77R6549 MCK-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the designation of a hospital as a rural hospital.
 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-4           SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is
 1-5     amended by adding Section 531.055 to read as follows:
 1-6           Sec. 531.055.  DESIGNATING RURAL HOSPITALS.  (a)  The
 1-7     commission shall adopt rules that establish a procedure for
 1-8     designating a hospital as a rural hospital in order for the
 1-9     hospital to qualify for federal funds under 42 C.F.R. Part 412.
1-10           (b)  At the hospital's request, the commission shall
1-11     designate the hospital as a rural hospital if the hospital meets
1-12     the requirements for a rural hospital under the commission's rules.
1-13           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.