SRC-VRA H.B. 3371 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 3371
By: Garza (Madla)
Intergovernmental Relations
5/17/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

In 1965, the 59th Texas Legislature established the Maverick County
Hospital District (district) to deliver health care services to the people
of Maverick County. In the enabling act, the legislature set forth all of
the guidelines and regulations by which the district was to operate.
Health care and its delivery system exist in an environment that changes
rapidly. Because of this changing environment, the district is faced with
an obligation to deliver services under authority that is no longer
adequate to meet the needs of Maverick County. To remedy this situation
the board of directors of the district has asked that its enabling statute
be modified to improve the district's ability to fulfill its obligation to
deliver health care services.  H.B. 3371 updates the responsibilities and
duties of the Maverick County Hospital District in an effort to protect
the district from financial hardship and gives it appropriate authority to
efficiently deliver health care services.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to
a state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 3, Chapter 172, Acts of the 59th Legislature,
Regular Session, 1965, to add the word "needy" as a modifier for
"residents" in existing text relating to medical care required to be
provided by the Maverick County Hospital District.  Deletes the words "all
necessary" from existing text. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 11(n), Chapter 172, Acts of the 59th
Legislature, Regular Session, 1965, to authorize the board of directors of
the Maverick County Hospital District, based on financial feasibility and
the financial resources available to the district, to perform certain
tasks.     

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2003.