Amend SB 8 (house committee printing) by adding the following appropriately numbered ARTICLE to the bill and renumbering subsequent ARTICLES and SECTIONS of the bill accordingly:

ARTICLE ____. INSURER CONTRACTS REGARDING CERTAIN BENEFIT PLANS

SECTION ____.01. Section 1301.006, Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 1301.006. AVAILABILITY OF AND ACCESSIBILITY TO HEALTH CARE SERVICES. (a) An insurer that markets a preferred provider benefit plan shall contract with physicians and health care providers to ensure that all medical and health care services and items contained in the package of benefits for which coverage is provided, including treatment of illnesses and injuries, will be provided under the health insurance policy in a manner ensuring availability of and accessibility to adequate personnel, specialty care, and facilities.

(b) A contract between an insurer that markets a plan regulated under this chapter and an institutional provider may not, as a condition of staff membership or privileges, require a physician or other practitioner to enter into a preferred provider contract.