BILL ANALYSIS
By: Straus
Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The most common cause of skin or soft tissue infections in the United States is caused by a bacterium often referred to as "staph," also known as Staphylococcus aureus. About 20-40% of the population carries staph bacteria on their skin or in the nose, usually without serious problems. In the past, about 90% of staph infections occurred as a result of surgery. However, in the last 10 years an antibiotic-resistant strain of staph bacteria has emerged, known as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). A 2003 study indicates that 12% of all MRSA cases are acquired outside of medical facilities, and more public schools are reporting cases of this stronger infection, which if left untreated can lead to pneumonia and bloodstream infections. No national or statewide tracking system of MRSA infections currently exists, which makes the exact number and cause of the infections impossible to determine.
CSHB 1082 would create a pilot program for a data-gathering system that would help Texas and the national medical community understand the growing problem of MRSA both inside and outside of healthcare settings and identify ways to reduce or eliminate outbreaks in the future.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Executive Commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission in SECTION 1 of this bill.
ANALYSIS
CSHB 1082 requires the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission to develop, by rule, the MRSA reporting procedures pilot program (program). The Department of State Health Services (department) must establish a program to research and implement the procedures for reporting cases of MRSA. The department is required to select a health authority (authority) to administer the program that demonstrates an interest in hosting the program and possesses adequate resources to administer the program successfully.
CSHB 1082 provides that the program must require certain clinical laboratories to report all cases of MRSA to the program administrator; track the prevalence of MRSA; study the cost and feasibility of expanding the list of certain reportable diseases; develop a methodology for the electronic exchange of information regarding the occurrence of MRSA; collect data and analyze findings on the sources and possible prevention of MRSA; provide for the public reporting by the department information regarding MSRA; compile and make public a summary of infections reported; and make recommendations to the department.
By September 1, 2009, CSHB 1082 requires that the department, in consultation with the health authority administrator, to submit to the legislature a report concerning the effectiveness of the program in tracking and reducing the number of MRSA infections within the area served by the authority.
On September 1, 2009, this pilot program is abolished and the legislation expires.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.
COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE
The substitute modifies the original by adding that the program must compile and make available to the public a summary, by location, of the infections reported, and through the department, make information about MRSA infections publicly available.