79R15162 AJA-D
By: Williams S.B. No. 261
Substitute the following for S.B. No. 261:
By: Keffer of Dallas C.S.S.B. No. 261
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of a program to educate the public on the
value of health coverage and to increase public awareness of health
coverage options.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle B, Title 5, Insurance Code, as
effective April 1, 2005, is amended by adding Chapter 524 to read as
follows:
CHAPTER 524. HEALTH COVERAGE AWARENESS AND EDUCATION PROGRAM
Sec. 524.001. PROGRAM ESTABLISHED. (a) The department
shall develop and implement a health coverage public awareness and
education program that complies with this chapter. The program
must:
(1) increase public awareness of health coverage
options available in this state;
(2) educate the public on the value of health
coverage; and
(3) provide information on health coverage options,
including health savings accounts and compatible high deductible
health benefit plans.
(b) The department may include information about specific
health coverage issuers but may not favor or endorse one particular
issuer over another.
Sec. 524.002. PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS. The department
shall develop and make public service announcements to educate
consumers and employers about the availability of health coverage
in this state.
Sec. 524.003. INTERNET WEBSITE; PUBLIC EDUCATION. (a) The
department shall develop an Internet website designed to educate
the public about the availability of health coverage in this state,
including information about health savings accounts and compatible
high deductible health benefit plans.
(b) The department shall provide other appropriate
education to the public regarding the value of health coverage.
Sec. 524.004. TASK FORCE. (a) The commissioner shall
appoint a task force to make recommendations regarding the health
coverage public awareness and education program. The task force is
composed of:
(1) one representative from each of the following
groups or entities:
(A) health benefit coverage consumers;
(B) small employers;
(C) employers generally;
(D) insurance agents;
(E) the office of public insurance counsel;
(F) the Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool;
(G) physicians;
(H) advanced practice nurses;
(I) hospital trade associations; and
(J) medical units of institutions of higher
education;
(2) a representative of the Health and Human Services
Commission responsible for programs under Medicaid and the
children's health insurance program; and
(3) one or more representatives of health benefit plan
issuers.
(b) The department shall consult the task force regarding
the content for the public service announcements, Internet website,
and educational materials required by this chapter. The
commissioner has authority to make final decisions as to what the
program's materials will contain.
Sec. 524.005. FUNDING. The department may accept gifts and
grants from any party, including a health benefit plan issuer or a
foundation associated with a health benefit plan issuer, to assist
with funding the program. The department shall adopt rules
governing acceptance of donations that are consistent with Chapter
575, Government Code. Before adopting rules under this subsection,
the department shall:
(1) submit the proposed rules to the Texas Ethics
Commission for review; and
(2) consider the commission's recommendations
regarding the regulations.
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, 2005.