SRC-VRA C.S.S.B. 1202 78(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 1202 78R11606 JRD-DBy: Lindsay Health & Human Services 4/9/2003 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST AND PURPOSE A cause of growing concern to many observers has been the increased use of emergency rooms for primary care medical services. With the implementation of the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act and the increasing number of uninsured persons both nationwide and in Texas, more and more individuals are seeking non-emergency health care from Texas' trauma and emergency rooms. In response, many public and private health care entities have begun implementing nurse triage lines to help individuals determine what type of medical care they should seek given their specific symptoms. C.S.S.B. 1202 directs the Texas Department of Health to conduct a study on the use and effectiveness of nurse triage lines in partnership with public and private health care providers and plans. 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. Defines "department" and "nurse triage line." SECTION 2. STUDY. Requires the Texas Department of Health (TDH) to study the use and effectiveness of nurse triage lines. Requires TDH, in conducting the study, to perform certain tasks. SECTION 3. STATEWIDE STRATEGIC PLAN. Requires TDH to develop a statewide strategic plan on how to maximize the effectiveness and operation of nurse triage lines in this state. Requires the plan to meet certain requirements. SECTION 4. REPORT. (a) Requires TDH to publish the results and findings of its study together with the statewide strategic plan developed as a result of the study in a report that TDH must issue to the governor, the presiding officer of each house of the legislature, and the members of each standing committee of either house of the legislature that has jurisdiction over TDH. (b) Requires TDH to issue the report not later than November 1, 2004. SECTION 5. EXPIRATION. Provides that this Act expires June 1, 2005. SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES Changes the relating clause. SECTIONS 1-5. Differ from the original by replacing the Health and Human Services Commission in proposed text with the Texas Department of Health.