BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                               C.S.S.B. 1069

79R12486 MCK-D                                                                                                            By: Madla

Health & Human Services

4/14/2005

Committee Report (Substituted)

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, data submitted to the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) regarding health status and access to care is not reported in a manner that identifies geographical differences.  Distinguishing the differences in data could better help identify health care needs.

C.S.S.B. 1069 amends the Health and Safety Code to require DSHS to evaluate and update health data reporting mechanisms in a manner than distinguishes between geographic regions.  This will enable those using the data to distinguish, for example, rural health dynamics from urban health dynamics.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

[While the statutory reference in this bill is to the Texas Department of Health (TDH), the following amendments affect the Department of State Health Services, as the successor agency to TDH.]

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 104, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 104.044, as follows:

Sec. 104.044.  SORTING COLLECTED DATA.  Requires the Texas Department of Health (TDH) to compile the health data collected under this subchapter and organize the results, to the extent possible, according to certain specific geographic areas.

(b)  Requires health data released under this subchapter to be released in accordance with the way it is compiled under this section.

SECTION 2.  Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 191, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 191.008, as follows:

Sec. 191.008. SORTING COLLECTED DATA.  Requires TDH to compile the information relating to births, deaths, and fetal deaths collected under this chapter and organize the results, to the extent possible, according to certain specific geographic areas.

(b)  Authorizes TDH to release information relating to births, deaths, and fetal deaths, in accordance with the way it is compiled under this section.

SECTION 3.  Requires the Department of State Health Services to consult with certain groups of affected persons and entities to define rural and urban areas for the purposes of Sections 104.044 and 191.008, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 4.  Effective date: September 1, 2005.