BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                          S.B. 92

80R1729 KCR-D                                                                                                    By: Van de Putte

                                                                                                                                       State Affairs

                                                                                                                                              2/6/2007

                                                                                                                                              As Filed

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

The inclusion of the terms anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, both of which are eating disorders, were added by the American Psychiatric Association to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-III) under "serious mental illnesses" in 1980.  If left untreated, these eating disorders may result in serious health problems, including malnutrition, kidney and liver failure, osteoporosis, and muscle atrophy.  Up to 20 percent of individuals affected by an untreated serious eating disorder die.  With treatment, this percentage drops to five percent.  Treatment for these preventable diseases can be both costly and time consuming.  Many individuals seeking treatment pay out-of-pocket expenses and sometimes cannot afford to continue treatment because current law has not yet added these eating disorders to coverage under certain health benefit plans.  Currently, these eating disorders are not included in the Texas Insurance Code, and certain health benefit plans do not provide coverage for treatment. 

 

As proposed, S.B. 92 would include anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa within the definition of  "serious mental illnesses" under Section 1355.001(1) (Benefits for Certain Mental Disorders), Insurance Code, and thus would add the eating disorders to those disorders covered under certain group health benefit plans. 

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 1355.001(1), Insurance Code, by redefining "serious mental illness" to include anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

 

SECTION 2.  Requires the Sunset Advisory Commission (committee), on or before September 1, 2012, to conduct a study to determine the extent to which the health benefit plan coverage required for anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa is being used by enrollees in certain health benefit plans and the impact of the required coverage on the cost of those health benefit plans.  Requires the commission to report its findings to the legislature on or before January 1, 2013.  Requires the Texas Department of Insurance and any other state agency to cooperate with the commission as necessary to implement this section.

 

SECTION 3.  Makes application of this Act prospective to January 1, 2008.

 

SECTION 4.  Effective date: September 1, 2007