79R9479 JRD-D

By:  Janek                                                        S.B. No. 1684



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to reimbursement received by The University of Texas 
Medical Branch at Galveston for uncompensated care.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 780.004, Health and Safety Code, is 
amended by amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (c-1) to 
read as follows:
	(c)  In any fiscal year, the commissioner shall use at least 
96 percent of the money appropriated from the account, after any 
amount necessary to maintain the reserve established by Subsection 
(b) is deducted, to fund a portion of the uncompensated trauma care 
provided at facilities designated as state trauma facilities by the 
department or an undesignated facility in active pursuit of 
designation and to fund a portion of other uncompensated care as 
provided by Subsection (c-1).  Funds may be disbursed under this 
subsection based on a proportionate share of uncompensated trauma 
care provided in the state and may be used to fund innovative 
projects to enhance the delivery of patient care in the overall 
emergency medical services and trauma care system.
	(c-1)  The first $10 million disbursed under Subsection (c) 
each fiscal year must be used to fund a portion of the uncompensated 
care provided by The University of Texas Medical Branch at 
Galveston.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.