C.S.H.B. 2985 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 2985 By: Capelo Public Health Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE There is a growing concern among legislators, stakeholders, and the public that patients have little knowledge or assistance navigating the various compliant and appeals processes at the various state health licensing boards. Numerous newspaper articles in the past year have highlighted the need for public assistance when pursuing a complaint at a health licensing board. As a result of the growing concern, an interim study on disciplinary actions taken by these boards was preformed by the House Committee on Public Health. Additionally, members of the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Finance Committee have expressed a growing interest in ensuring that members of the public have assistance when filing a compliant with a health licensing board. In order to address this issue, this bill establishes the Office of Patient Protection. The Office is to be administered by the Health Professions Council. The mission of this office is to provide the public with assistance and information regarding healthcare compliant processes. 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 The bill establishes the Office of Patient Protection. The bill provides for information to be provided to the public from agencies. The bill outlines the assistance that the Office shall provide to the public including compliant forms. The bill requires the Office to monitor the rulemaking of the various health licensing agencies. The bill provides for the funding of the Office. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2003 COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE The substitute differs from the original in that provides the Office with authority to serve as an ombudsman with consumers and assist consumers with obtaining information with a compliant. The substitute authorizes the Office to appeal decisions of a licensing agency on behalf of a class of, but not individual complainants. The substitute clarifies the confidentiality requirements of the office.