By: Laubenberg, Jackson H.B. No. 3154
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the creation of a review committee to study the
  provision of indigent health care through county and regional
  health care services.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  (a) In this section, "region" means the area
  formed by the counties in public health region three of this state
  as established by the Department of State Health Services.
         (b)  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)  The committee consists of:
               (1)  each member of the legislature who represents a
  district that contains territory in the region;
               (2)  each county commissioner of a county located in
  the region;
               (3)  each county judge in the region; and
               (4)  the chief executive officer of each public and
  nonprofit hospital system in the region.
         (d)  In conducting hearings and studies, the committee
  shall:
               (1)  examine whether a regional system to provide
  indigent health care should be offered throughout the region;
               (2)  examine whether there should be a mechanism for
  additional counties to participate in the regional health care
  system; and
               (3)  perform a review of funding and financing options,
  including a review of funding indigent health care in the region.
         (e)  The initial meeting of the committee must take place
  before September 30, 2007. At the initial meeting the committee
  shall:
               (1)  adopt rules governing the committee; and
               (2)  establish a work plan and schedule for future
  meetings.
         (f)  The committee may accept gifts, grants, technical
  support, or any other resources from any source to carry out the
  functions of the committee.
         (g)  Not later than September 1, 2008, the committee shall
  issue a report on indigent health care that summarizes:
               (1)  hearings conducted by the committee;
               (2)  studies conducted by the committee;
               (3)  any legislation proposed by the committee; and
               (4)  any other findings or recommendations of the
  committee.
         (h)  Not later than December 1, 2008, the committee shall
  submit a copy of the summary report to the governor, the lieutenant
  governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives.
         (i)  This section expires September 1, 2009.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.