BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 3154
By: Laubenberg, Jackson, Jim (Deuell)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Much discussion of late has centered around the regionalization of indigent health care throughout the state. However, the discussion should include both public hospitals and local county officials. While regionalized health care is a possible solution to the state's indigent health care situation, all options should be explored.
H.B. 3154 encourages such a study by establishing a regional health care systems review task force, which would include the local county governments and county hospitals.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. (a) Defines "region."
(b) Provides that the regional health care systems review committee is created to conduct public hearings regarding, and to study the implications of, implementing regional health care service to address indigent health care in the region.
(c) Provides that the committee consists of each member of the legislature who represents a district that contains territory in the region, each county commissioner of a county located in the region, each county judge in the region, and the chief executive officer of each public and nonprofit hospital system in the region.
(d) Sets forth certain requirements of the committee in conducting hearings and studies.
(e) Requires the initial meeting of the committee to take place before September 30, 2007. Requires the committee to adopt rules governing the committee and establish a work plan and schedule for future meetings at the initial meeting.
(f) Authorizes the committee to accept gifts, grants, technical support, or any other resources from any source to carry out the functions of the committee.
(g) Requires the committee, not later than September 1, 2008, to issue a report on indigent health care that summarizes hearings conducted by the committee, studies conducted by the committee, any legislation proposed by the committee, and any other findings or recommendations of the committee.
(h) Requires the committee, not later than December 1, 2008, to submit a copy of the summary report to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives.
(i) Provides that this section expires September 1, 2009.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2007.