H.B. 2259 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 2259
By: Smithee
Insurance
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The Texas Medical Liability Insurance Underwriting Association, commonly
known as the JUA, was created to provide a means for physicians and health
care providers to obtain medical liability insurance when such coverage is
not available in the admitted market.  Currently, all medical malpractice
liability insurance policies written by the JUA are written on an annual
basis.  However, some physicians need temporary coverage from the JUA
while they attempt to secure insurance in the admitted voluntary market.
H.B. 2259 allows the JUA to issue medical liability insurance policies for
terms of less than one year in duration. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2259 amends the Insurance Code to allow the Medical Liability
Insurance Underwriting Association to issue medical liability insurance
policies for terms of less than one year in duration. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003.