80R8070 PB-D
 
  By: Hegar S.B. No. 951
 
 
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to participation of hospitals in certain health care
delivery networks.
       BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
       SECTION 1.  Section 843.303, Insurance Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
       (d)  A health maintenance organization may not deny
participation in the health maintenance organization's delivery
network to a hospital provider, based solely on the ownership of the
hospital provider, if the hospital provider is licensed under
Chapter 241, Health and Safety Code.
       SECTION 2.  Section 1301.051, Insurance Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:
       (f)  An insurer offering a preferred provider benefit plan
may not deny participation as a preferred provider to a hospital
based solely on the ownership of the hospital.
       SECTION 3.  Chapter 1451, Insurance Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter J to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER J.  ACCESS TO CERTAIN HOSPITALS
       Sec. 1451.451.  (a) In this section, "hospital" means a
hospital licensed under Chapter 241, Health and Safety Code.
       (b)  An insurer that contracts with hospitals to provide
services under a managed care plan offered by the insurer in this
state may not deny participation in the managed care plan's
delivery network to a hospital based solely on the ownership of the
hospital.
       SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.