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Amend CSHB 7 by adding the following appropriately numbered 
ARTICLE and renumbering existing ARTICLES accordingly:

ARTICLE ____.  EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF TEXAS
	SECTION ____.01.  Subchapter C, Chapter 1551, Insurance 
Code, is amended by adding Section 1551.115 to read as follows:
	Sec. 1551.115.  LIMITATIONS.  The Employees Retirement 
System of Texas, as trustee, may not contract for or provide a 
health benefit plan that excludes from participation in the network 
a general hospital that:
		(1)  is located in the geographical service area or 
areas of the health coverage plan that include a county that:
			(A)  has a population of at least 100,000 and not 
more than 175,000; and
			(B)  is located in the Texas-Louisiana border 
region, as that term is defined in Section 2056.002(e), Government 
Code; and
		(2)  agrees to provide medical and health care services 
under the plan subject to the same terms and conditions as other 
hospital providers under the plan.
	SECTION ____.02.  This article takes effect immediately if 
this Act receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to 
each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas 
Constitution.  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for 
immediate effect, this article takes effect on the 91st day after 
the last day of the legislative session.