BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                        S.B. 730

80R7244 DLF-D                                                                                                              By: Carona

                                                                                                                                       State Affairs

                                                                                                                                            3/14/2007

                                                                                                                                              As Filed

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Hemophilia is a chronic and incurable disease that, if left untreated, can lead to severe joint damage, permanent disabilities, and death. Medications are available that treat hemophilia at a cost between $150,000 and $450,000 per year. The cost of these medicines can easily exceed the maximum lifetime benefit limits of health insurance policies. Current statute does not address maximum lifetime benefit limits.

 

As proposed, S.B. 730 directs the Texas Department of Insurance to study maximum lifetime benefits and how those benefits affect the treatment of hemophilia.

 

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. DEFINITION. Defines "department."

 

SECTION 2. STUDY. (a)  Requires the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) to conduct a study of the maximum lifetime benefit limits under health benefit plan coverage as those limits are applied to hemophilia-related services, supplies, pharmaceuticals, and biologics.

 

(b)  Requires TDI, in conducting the study, to consult health benefit plan issuers, physicians, organizations representing the interests of individuals with hemophilia, and the office of public insurance counsel.

 

(c)  Requires the study to consider the manner in which hemophilia-related services, supplies, pharmaceuticals, and biologics are provided by the Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool.

 

SECTION 3. REPORT. Requires TDI, not later than September 1, 2008, to report the results of the study conducted under this Act to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives. Requires the report to include certain estimated costs, a review of certain benefits to enrollees, and the recommendation of the commissioner of insurance, if any, for legislation concerning the maximum lifetime benefit limits under health benefit plan coverage as those limits are applied to certain hemophilia-related services and supplies.

 

SECTION 4. EXPIRATION. Provides that this Act expires June 1, 2009.

 

SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. Effective date: September 1, 2007.