BILL ANALYSIS
By: King, Tracy
Committee Report (Unammended)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Maverick County is and has been, for many years, designated as a Health Professional Shortage Area and Medically Underserved. Historically, it has been extremely difficult to recruit qualified physicians and medical professionals to Maverick County and the situation has not improved. The community has a disproportionate population of uninsured, under insured, Medicaid and Medicare residents.
H.B. 1456 will alleviate the burden of operating the business aspect of the practice allowing the physician to fully concentrate on what they are trained for, delivering healthcare. The District would own the medical practice and operate and control the day to day business. The employed physician would control the practice of medicine for which he/she is trained.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 11, Chapter 172, Acts of the 59th Legislature, Regular Session, 1965, by adding Subsection (k-1) which authorizes the Maverick County Hospital Board to employ physicians, dentists, and other health care providers as the board considers necessary for the efficient operation of the district. The board is not authorized to supervise or control the practice of medicine or permit the unauthorized practice of medicine.
SECTION 2. Effective Date
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2005.