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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of a review committee to study the |
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provision of indigent health care through county and regional |
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health care services. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. (a) In this section, "region" means the area |
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formed by the counties in public health region three of this state |
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as established by the Department of State Health Services. |
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(b) The regional health care systems review committee is |
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created to conduct public hearings regarding, and to study the |
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implications of, implementing regional health care service to |
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address indigent health care in the region. |
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(c) The committee consists of: |
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(1) each member of the legislature who represents a |
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district that contains territory in the region; |
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(2) each county commissioner of a county located in |
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the region; |
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(3) each county judge in the region; and |
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(4) the chief executive officer of each public and |
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nonprofit hospital system in the region. |
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(d) In conducting hearings and studies, the committee |
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shall: |
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(1) examine whether a regional system to provide |
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indigent health care should be offered throughout the region; |
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(2) examine whether there should be a mechanism for |
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additional counties to participate in the regional health care |
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system; and |
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(3) perform a review of funding and financing options, |
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including a review of funding indigent health care in the region. |
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(e) The initial meeting of the committee must take place |
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before September 30, 2007. At the initial meeting the committee |
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shall: |
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(1) adopt rules governing the committee; and |
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(2) establish a work plan and schedule for future |
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meetings. |
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(f) The committee may accept gifts, grants, technical |
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support, or any other resources from any source to carry out the |
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functions of the committee. |
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(g) Not later than September 1, 2008, the committee shall |
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issue a report on indigent health care that summarizes: |
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(1) hearings conducted by the committee; |
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(2) studies conducted by the committee; |
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(3) any legislation proposed by the committee; and |
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(4) any other findings or recommendations of the |
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committee. |
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(h) Not later than December 1, 2008, the committee shall |
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submit a copy of the summary report to the governor, the lieutenant |
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governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives. |
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(i) This section expires September 1, 2009. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |