By:  Chavez                                                       H.B. No. 2448



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of the Border Health and Education 
Partnership.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subtitle E, Title 2, Health and Safety Code is 
amended by adding Chapter 112 to read as follows:
	Chapter 112.  Border Health and Education Partnership (BHEP)
	Sec. 112.001.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:                           
	(a)  "advisory committee" means the advisory committee of 
the Border Health and Education Partnership.
	(b)  "commissioner" means the commissioner of the Texas 
Department of Health.
	(c)  "department" means the Texas Department of Health.                 
	(d)  "Partnership" means the Border Health and Education 
Partnership. 
	(e)  "Primary Health Care" means the services listed in 
Subchapter B, Chapter 31, Section 31.002(a)(4), Health and Safety 
Code.
	(f)  "Texas-Mexico Border" means the counties listed in 
Chapter 2056, Section 2056.002(e)(3), Government Code.
	(g)  "Medically Underserved Area" means medically 
underserved area as determined by the Texas Department of Health.
	Sec. 112.002.  CREATION OF THE BORDER HEALTH AND EDUCATION 
PARTNERSHIP. (BHEP)  (a)  The Texas Department of Health shall 
establish the border Health and Education Partnership. (BHEP)
	Sec. 112.002.  ADVISORY COMMITTEE.  (a)  An advisory 
committee shall be appointed to oversee the Partnership.
	(b)  The advisory committee shall consist of:                           
		(1)  the commissioner of the Texas Department of 
Health, or a representative of the commissioner;
		(2)  a person appointed by the Governor to serve as 
chair of the committee;
		(3)  one representative from the institutions of higher 
education having degree programs for the health professions, 
appointed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board;
		(4)  one physician practicing in a medically 
underserved area along the Texas-Mexico Border, appointed by the 
commissioner;
		(5)  one registered nurse practicing in a medically 
underserved area along the Texas-Mexico Border, appointed by the 
commissioner;
		(6)  one health educator from an institution of higher 
education having degree programs for the health professions, 
appointed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board;
		(7)  one public representative who resides in a 
medically underserved area, appointed by the Governor;
		(8)  one state representative appointed by the Speaker 
of the House; and
		(9)  one senator of the Texas Senate appointed by the 
Lt. Governor.  
	(c)  The advisory committee shall develop a program to 
coordinate public and private resources that promote community 
service by linking health professionals and supervised students 
with existing health education and primary care services.  The 
purpose of Partnership shall be to provide students of health 
professions, health educators, public health practitioners, and 
active and retired licensed or certified health professionals with 
the opportunity to participate in public service programs that 
enhance access to primary care services to individuals or families 
along the Texas-Mexico Border.
	Sec. 112.003.  STUDIES AND PILOT PROJECTS.  (a)  The advisory 
committee shall develop and implement studies and pilot projects 
designed to coordinate and utilize existing public and private 
resources to provide improved access to primary care services for 
populations along the Texas-Mexico Border.  These studies and pilot 
projects shall examine ways to encourage schools and other 
education programs that prepare public health and health 
professionals to incorporate public service requirements and/or 
electives into the curriculum and promote incentives for 
participation.  Under supervision from appropriate licensed or 
certified personnel, and in cooperation with appropriate 
educational authorities, students shall be enlisted to participate 
in pilot projects.
	(b)  Opportunities for participation in pilot projects 
should be expanded for students enrolled in secondary or 
post-secondary schools and educational programs and current and 
retired licensed health-care providers including military and 
military reserve medical personnel.
	Sec. 112.004.  DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.  The advisory 
committee shall have the responsibility and authority to:
	(a)  Conduct studies and pilot projects as described in 
Section 5;    
	(b)  apply to private sources, existing state programs, and 
the federal government for grants to implement studies and pilot 
projects; deposit funds received in s separate account in the 
Department or participating University; and expend said funds for 
the purpose set forth in this act;
	(c)  enter into agreement with each other and other entities 
as allowed by law for the purpose of Partnership;
	(d)  study the feasibility of utilizing the services of 
retired health care providers and other licensed and certified 
health care providers, including a study addressing methods of 
liability coverage for retired licensed health care providers;
	(e)  study the feasibility of providing continuing education 
credit for licensed and certified health care practitioners 
participating in pilot projects;
	(f)  study the feasibility of establishing a non-profit 
corporation authorized by statute to operate Partnership;
	(g)  deliver reports of the program to the Governor, Lt. 
Governor, Senate and House of Representatives as appropriate;
	(h)  recommend legislation to implement public incentives 
given by the State of Texas to program participants;
	(i)  appoint a program director to implement and administer 
the studies and pilot projects initiated by this act.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.