BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1305

By: Patrick, Dan

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, the hemophilia assistance program is available to male Texas residents, 21 years of age or older, who are diagnosed with hemophilia and have an income below 200 percent of the federal poverty level but do not qualify for Medicaid.  The program provides up to $25,000 annually to participants for blood clotting treatments, with the program allowed to spend up to $300,000 total each year.  Currently, 11 men statewide are eligible to receive program assistance. 

S.B. 1305 authorizes the Department of State Health Services to assist an eligible person in obtaining insurance by providing premium payment assistance for insurance coverage. 

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

S.B. 1305 amends the Health and Safety Code to authorize the Department of State Health Services, in addition to providing financial assistance to an eligible person who has hemophilia for blood and other substances, to assist an eligible person by providing premium payment assistance for insurance coverage.  The bill clarifies that a person is not ineligible to receive hemophilia assistance services solely because the person receives benefits through the Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool.

S.B. 1305 amends the Insurance Code to specify that an individual is eligible for coverage from the health insurance risk pool if the individual receives financial assistance under the hemophilia assistance program.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the act does not receive the necessary vote, the act takes effect September 1, 2009.