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BILL ANALYSIS |
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By: Watson |
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 (Regional or Local Health Care Programs for Employees of Small Employers), Health and Safety Code, created by S.B. 10, 80th Legislature, Regular Session 2007, allows for the creation of low-cost health coverage products specifically designed for small employers with two to 50 employees (three share plans).
As proposed, C.S.S.B. 957 modifies Sections 61.029 and 61.056, 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.
C.S.S.B. 957 also requires fifteen percent of the increased federal funding allotment under the disproportionate share hospital payments be used, as a condition of participation in the disproportionate share program, for programs established under Chapter 75. This subsection expires August 31, 2011.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
ANALYSIS
SECTION 1.
Amends Section 61.029, Health and Safety Code, by adding Subsection (c), 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 by Chapter 75 (Regional or Local Health Care Programs for Employees of Small Employers).
SECTION 2.
Amends Section 61.056, Health and Safety Code, by adding Subsection (d), to authorize 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 by Chapter 75. Provides that the board of directors or managers of the hospital or district has the power and duties provided to the commissioners court of a county under Chapter 75 for the purposes of this subsection. Requires fifteen percent of the increased federal funding allotment under the disproportionate share hospital supplemental payment program to be use for programs established under Chapter 75, as a condition of participation in the disproportionate share program.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2009.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Effective date of September 1, 2009
COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE
C.S.S.B. 957 adds a requirement that fifteen percent of the increased federal funding allotment under the disproportionate share hospital payments be used, as a condition of participation in the disproportionate share program, for programs established under Chapter 75. This subsection expires August 31, 2011. S.B. 957, engrossed version, did not include this requirement.