By Shapleigh S.B. No. 496
77R5374 DLF-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to a study of barriers to providing binational health
1-3 benefit plan coverage.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. (a) The Texas Department of Insurance and the
1-6 Texas Department of Health shall jointly study the provision in
1-7 this state of health benefit plan coverage to individuals who are
1-8 not residents of this state or another state of the United States.
1-9 The study must:
1-10 (1) identify legal and practical impediments to
1-11 providing binational health benefit plan coverage; and
1-12 (2) include recommendations to facilitate provision of
1-13 binational health benefit plan coverage.
1-14 (b) The commissioner of insurance and the Texas Board of
1-15 Health may jointly appoint an advisory committee under Chapter
1-16 2110, Government Code, to assist the departments in conducting the
1-17 study required by this Act.
1-18 (c) Not later than November 1, 2002, the Texas Department
1-19 of Health and the Texas Department of Insurance shall jointly issue
1-20 a report describing the departments' recommendations, including
1-21 proposals for legislation. The departments shall file the report
1-22 with the governor, lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the
1-23 house of representatives.
1-24 SECTION 2. This Act expires December 31, 2002.
2-1 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
2-2 a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
2-3 provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
2-4 Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
2-5 Act takes effect September 1, 2001.