BILL ANALYSIS
By: Patrick, Dan
Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
It is important to ensure that adequate services are available for those affected by blood disorders and that issues which these individuals face in their everyday lives are researched in order to provide solutions.
C.S.S.B. 1566 establishes the Texas Bleeding Disorders Advisory Council to study and advise the Department of State Health Services, the Health and Human Services Commission, and the Texas Department of Insurance on issues that affect the health and wellness of persons living with hemophilia and other bleeding or clotting disorders.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to any state officer, institution, or agency.
ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. (a) Defines "council," "commissioner," "department," and "hemophilia."
(b) Establishes the Texas Bleeding Disorders Advisory Council (council). Provides that the council is composed of the commissioner of state health services (commissioner) and the commissioner of insurance, or their designees, serving as nonvoting members, and nine members serving as voting members appointed jointly by the commissioner and commissioner of insurance. Sets forth the individuals who are to be appointed by the commissioner and commissioner of insurance.
(c) Authorizes the commissioner and the commissioner of insurance to appoint up to five nonvoting members, including persons with hemophilia or other bleeding or clotting disorders or caregivers of persons with hemophilia or other bleeding or clotting disorders; and persons experienced in the diagnosis, treatment care, and support of persons with hemophilia or other bleeding or clotting disorders.
(d) Requires the council members to elect from among the voting council members a presiding officer. Provides that the presiding officer retains all voting rights.
(e) Requires the commissioner and the commissioner of insurance to jointly appoint a person to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term if a vacancy occurs on the council.
(f) Authorizes a member of the council to receive reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred while performing council businesses, but prohibits a member from receiving compensation for service on the council.
(g) Requires the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to provide reasonably necessary administrative support for council activities.
(h) Requires the council to meet at least quarterly and at the call of the commissioner or presiding officer.
(i) States that the council may not receive any funds that are appropriated by the legislature and designated for the purpose of treatment of hemophilia and other bleeding and clotting disorders.
(j) Requires the council to study and advise DSHS, the Health and Human Services Commission, and the Texas Department of Insurance on issues that affect the health and wellness of person living with hemophilia and other bleeding or clotting disorders. Sets forth the issues on which the council is required to study and advise.
(k) Requires the council, not later than December 1, 2008, to report on its findings and recommendations to certain government officials. Requires that the report be made public and be subject to public review and comment before being adopted by the council.
(l) Requires the commissioner to report on efforts to implement the recommendations in the report, not later than six months after the report is issued and annually thereafter.
(m) Requires the commissioner to include any state or national activities in which the council participates in any report issued under Subsection (k) of this section.
(n) Provides that this section expires and the committee is abolished September 1, 2009.
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
Adds a new Subsection (i), in Section 1 of the bill, stating that the council may not receive any funds that are appropriated by the legislature and designated for the purpose of treatment of hemophilia and other bleeding and clotting disorders. Makes conforming changes to other Subsections of Section 1 of the bill.