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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to physician shortage residency programs. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding |
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Subchapter II to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER II. CONTRACTS FOR PHYSICIAN SHORTAGE RESIDENCY |
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PROGRAMS |
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Sec. 61.511. DEFINITIONS. As used in this subchapter: |
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(1) "Medical school" means a medical school that is |
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part of The University of Texas System, the Texas Tech University |
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System, the Texas A&M University System, the University of North |
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Texas System, or the Baylor College of Medicine. |
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(2) "Approved physician shortage residency training |
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program" means a graduate medical education program that is |
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operated by a medical school, licensed hospital, or nonprofit |
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corporation and that has been approved for training physicians in a |
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shortage area identified by the Physician Shortage Residency |
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Advisory Committee. |
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Sec. 61.512. CONTRACTS. The board may contract with a |
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medical school, licensed hospital, or nonprofit corporation for the |
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purpose of establishing and operating an approved physician |
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shortage residency training program and may compensate the medical |
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school, licensed hospital, or nonprofit corporation on a formula |
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approved by the board based upon the number of resident physicians |
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in the training program. |
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Sec. 61.513. RULES. The board shall adopt rules to implement |
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this subchapter. |
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Sec. 61.514. DISBURSEMENTS. (a) Pursuant to a contract, |
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the board may disburse through the designated project director to a |
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medical school, licensed hospital, or nonprofit corporation funds |
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for the purpose of the graduate training of physicians in an |
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approved physician shortage residency training program. The |
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project director of the residency program shall, in accordance with |
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such rules as the board may adopt, make timely reports directly to |
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the board concerning the development and progress of the residency |
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training program. |
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(b) The board may establish by contract the method or manner |
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of the disbursement to the project director. |
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Sec. 61.515. ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) The Physician |
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Shortage Residency Advisory Committee is created and shall consist |
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of nine members, as follows: |
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(1) one member shall be a licensed physician appointed by |
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the Texas Osteopathic Medical Association; |
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(2) two members shall be administrators of hospitals and |
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shall be appointed by the Texas Hospital Association; |
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(3) two members shall be a licensed physician appointed by |
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the Texas Medical Association; |
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(4) three members of the public shall be appointed to the |
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committee by the governor; and |
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(5) one member representing the Statewide Health |
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Coordinating Council as determining by the chair of the Council. |
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(b) The terms of office of each member shall be for three |
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years. Each member shall serve until a replacement has been |
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appointed to the committee. |
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(c) The members of the committee serve without |
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compensation, but shall be reimbursed by the board for actual |
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expenses incurred in the performance of duties as members of the |
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committee. |
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(d) The committee shall meet at least annually and so often |
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as requested by the board or called into meeting by the chairman. |
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(e) The chairman shall be elected by the members of the |
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committee for one year. |
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(f) The committee shall: |
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(1) review data from the Statewide Health Coordinating |
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Council and other resources to determine the physician shortages in |
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Texas; |
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(2) review for the board applications for approval and |
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funding of residency training programs and related support |
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programs; |
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(3) make recommendations to the board relating to the |
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disbursement of funds under this subchapter based on the following |
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criteria: |
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(A) residency programs which would expand |
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training opportunities in medical specialty areas in which there is |
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a shortage in Texas; |
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(B) residency programs which would located in |
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medically underserved communities in Texas; |
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(C) residency programs in specialty areas in |
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which a substantial number of graduates of Texas medical schools |
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have left the state of Texas to pursue such training; or |
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(D) residency programs which would undertake |
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innovative approaches to residency training, include extensive use |
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of ambulatory facilities or the creation of medical homes for |
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patients; and |
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(4) perform such other duties as may be directed by the |
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board. |
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Sec. 61.516. FUNDING. The board may: |
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(1) receive and expend appropriations for purposes of |
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this subchapter, including funds generated by fees under Chapter |
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153, Occupations Code, in excess of the funds needed for the |
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purposes authorized by Section 153.052, Occupations Code; and |
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(2) accept gifts, grants, and donations of real or |
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personal property from any entity, subject to limitations or |
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conditions set by law, for the purposes of this subchapter. |
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SECTION 2. The heading to Subchapter I, Chapter 61, |
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Education Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER I. CONTRACTS FOR FAMILY PRACTICE [MEDICAL] |
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RESIDENCY PROGRAMS. |
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SECTION 3. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board |
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shall adopt rules to implement Subchapter II, Chapter 61, Education |
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Code, as added by this Act, not later than January 1, 2010. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |