BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                      S.B. 1001

79R5556 MCK-D                                                                                                              By: Madla

Health and Human Services

3/31/2005

As Filed

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Residents of medically underserved communities lack access to adequate healthcare.  Lack of appropriate healthcare leads to increased severity of medical conditions and increased costs for medical treatment.

As proposed, S.B. 1001 requires the Statewide Health Coordinating Council at the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), in conjunction with Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) to examine five willing and diverse communities.  This effort is a one time project that requires DSHS to report potential legislation that will improve access to healthcare services in underserved communities. 

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.  (a)  Defines "medically underserved community."

(b)  Requires the Statewide Health Coordinating Council in conjunction with area health education centers to study the health care delivery system in five geographically diverse medically underserved communities of the state who request to be part of the study.  Provides that at least one of the communities should be an urban area.  Sets forth certain requirements for the Department of State Health Services (department) as a part of the study.

(c)  Requires the department, in performing the study under Subsection (b), to consult with a variety of health care practitioners in medically underserved communities, including emergency medical service providers, physicians, rural hospitals, rural health clinics, and family planning clinics.

(d)  Requires the department to seek the participation of, and consult with, representatives of each medically underserved community in the study to develop ways the community can improve the delivery of health care services.

(e)  Requires, not later than January 1, 2007, the department to report the results of the study conducted under this section in writing to the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the members and members-elect of the 80th Legislature.  Require the report to include any proposed legislation the department, through this study, determines will facilitate the improvement of the delivery of health care in medically underserved communities.

(f)  Provides that this Act expires September 1, 2007.

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 2005.