H.B. No. 2772




AN ACT

relating to health savings accounts and high-deductible health 
plans and similar programs implemented as a part of the group 
benefits program of the Employees Retirement System of Texas.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  EVALUATION AND REPORT.  (a)  The Employees 
Retirement System of Texas shall evaluate the long-term impact of 
implementing a health reimbursement account program or a health 
savings account and high-deductible health plan program as a part 
of the group benefits program on:
		(1)  future costs and benefits of all health care plans 
included in the group benefits program;
		(2)  participant access to quality health care;                               
		(3)  provider availability; and                                               
		(4)  any other issue the system determines is relevant 
to the continued stable and efficient operation of the group 
benefits program, considering the demographic, geographic, and 
socioeconomic characteristics of program participants.
	(b)  Not later than December 31, 2006, the Employees 
Retirement System of Texas shall submit a report of the results of 
the evaluation conducted under this section, including the system's 
findings and recommendations, to the governor, lieutenant 
governor, and speaker of the house of representatives.
	(c)  This section expires January 1, 2007.                                     
	SECTION 2.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  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, 2005.




______________________________              ______________________________
 
   President of the Senate                               Speaker of the House      

	I certify that H.B. No. 2772 was passed by the House on May 9, 
2005, by the following vote:  Yeas 144, Nays 0, 3 present, not 
voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B. 
No. 2772 on May 27, 2005, by the following vote:  Yeas 140, Nays 0, 
2 present, not voting.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House   

	
I certify that H.B. No. 2772 was passed by the Senate, with 
amendments, on May 25, 2005, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 
0.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                      Secretary of the Senate   



APPROVED: __________________                                                
 
                Date                                                         




 
         __________________                                              
 
              Governor