SRC-TJG S.B. 610 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 610
78R2124 JTS-DBy: Nelson
Health & Human Services
4/2/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, many rural areas in Texas are facing health provider shortages
while urban areas face increasing burdens on their emergency rooms.
President Bush has included $114 million in his proposed budget to
increase the number of community health centers.  As proposed, S.B. 610
authorizes the Texas Department of Health to provide certain types of
grants to establish or expand existing facilities that can qualify as
federally qualified health centers. 

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 Chapter 31, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section
31.017, as follows: 

Sec. 31.017.  FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS.  (a) Authorizes the
Texas Department of Health to make grants to establish new or expand
existing facilities that can qualify as federally qualified health
centers, as defined by 42 U.S.C. Section 139d(1)(2)(B), in this state,
including certain types of grants. 

(b) Provides that this section expires September 1, 2009.

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2003.