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.