BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1628

By: Naishtat

County Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Counties, public hospitals, and hospital districts are struggling to come up with innovative and effective ways to provide access to health care for eligible individuals.  Chapter 75, Health and Safety Code, created by S.B. 10, 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007, providing for  regional or local health care programs for employees of small employers, allowed for the creation of low-cost health coverage products, known as three share plans, specifically designed for small employers with two to 50 employees.

H.B. 1628 modifies Section 61.029, provisions for county responsibility for persons not residing in an area served by a public hospital or hospital district, and Section 61.056, provisions for persons who reside in an area served by a public hospital or hospital district, of the Health and Safety Code to allow counties, public hospitals, or hospital districts to purchase health coverage or other health benefits, including benefits described by Chapter 75, for those who are eligible for those programs.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1628 amends the Health and Safety Code to authorize a county to provide or arrange to provide health care services for eligible county residents through the purchase of health coverage or other health benefits, including benefits described under provisions for regional or local health care programs for employees of small employers.  The bill authorizes a public hospital or hospital district to provide or arrange to provide health care services for eligible residents through the purchase of health coverage or other health benefits, including benefits described under provisions for regional or local health care programs for employees of small employers.  The bill provides that the board of directors or managers of the hospital or district has the powers and duties provided to the commissioners court of a county under provisions for regional or local health care programs for employees of small employers.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2009.