BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1091

By: Davis, John

County Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, a local governmental entity can contract with or agree with another local governmental entity or a recognized Indian tribe to perform a government function.  With the current economic downturn and the passage of certain federal legislation, several federally qualified health centers have approached hospital districts seeking this type of assistance with administrative functions and services.  Federally qualified health centers are facing increased demand for services during this economic downturn. H.B. 1091 enables such centers to expand the provision of primary care in the community. The bill seeks a statutory addition relating to the authority of certain hospital districts to contract for the performance of administrative functions and services.

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

H.B. 1091 amends the Health and Safety Code to authorize the board of hospital managers of a hospital district in a county with a population of at least 190,000 to contract with a federally qualified health center or a federally qualified health center look-alike to perform for the center administrative functions and services that the hospital district and the center may perform independently. The bill makes its provisions applicable only to a federally qualified health center as defined by federal law or a federally qualified health center look-alike organized and operated under the authority of and in compliance with provisions of federal law relating to health centers that is substantially devoted to providing services to socially and economically disadvantaged individuals in the geographical area of the district.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2011.