BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center C.S.S.B. 1305
81R21678 SJM-F By: Patrick, Dan
Committee Report (Substituted)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, the Hemophilia Assistance Program (program) is available to male Texas residents, 21 years of age or older, with a diagnosis of hemophilia and with an income below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, but who 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. Eleven men statewide are eligible to receive program assistance.
C.S.S.B. 1305 authorizes the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to assist an eligible person in obtaining insurance by providing premium payment assistance for insurance coverage.
[Note: While the statutory reference in this bill is to the Texas Department of Health (TDH), the following amendments affect the Department of State Health Services, as the successor agency to TDH.]
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 41.002, Health and Safety Code, by adding Subsections (d), as follows:
(d) Authorizes the Texas Department of Health (TDH), in addition to providing financial assistance under Subsection (c) (relating to financial assistance for medically eligible persons in obtaining certain substances), to assist an eligible person by providing premium payment assistance for insurance coverage.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 41.004, Health and Safety Code, by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c), as follows:
(a) Creates an exception under Subsection (c).
(c) Provides that a person is not ineligible to receive services provided by this chapter solely because the person receives benefits through the Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool (pool) under Chapter 1506 (Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool), Insurance Code.
SECTION 3. Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 1506, Insurance Code, by adding Section 1506.1535, as follows:
Sec. 1506.1535. PARTICIPANTS IN HEMOPHILIA ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. Provides that an individual is eligible for coverage from the pool, notwithstanding Section 1506.153 (Ineligibility for Coverage), if the individual receives financial assistance under the hemophilia assistance program described by Section 41.002 (Hemophilia Assistance Program), Health and Safety Code.
SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.