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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a physician's disclosure of a financial interest in a |
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laboratory to which the physician refers a patient. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. The heading to Subchapter F, Chapter 161, Health |
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and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER F. DISCLOSURES RELATED TO [DISCLOSURE OF CERTAIN
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AGREEMENTS FOR PAYMENT OF] LABORATORY TESTS |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter F, Chapter 161, Health and Safety |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 161.063 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 161.063. DISCLOSURE OF FINANCIAL INTEREST REQUIRED. |
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(a) In this section, "financial interest" means: |
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(1) an ownership or investment interest through |
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equity, debt, or other means, including an interest in an entity |
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that holds an ownership or investment interest; or |
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(2) a compensation arrangement. |
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(b) Before providing health care services to a patient, a |
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physician shall disclose in writing to the patient any financial |
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interest the physician has in a laboratory to which the patient may |
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be referred for testing. |
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(c) The disclosure required by Subsection (b) must include: |
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(1) the name and office address of the physician; |
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(2) the name and address of the laboratory; and |
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(3) a description of the physician's financial |
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interest in the laboratory, which may include the physician's |
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percentage ownership of the laboratory, if applicable. |
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SECTION 3. Section 161.063, Health and Safety Code, as |
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added by this Act, applies to a financial interest obtained before, |
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on, or after the effective date of this Act. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |