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.