AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
H.B. 1983 amends current law relating to certain childbirths occurring before the 39th week of gestation.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Human Resources Code, by adding Section 32.0313, as follows:
Sec. 32.0313. INDUCED DELIVERIES OR CESAREAN SECTIONS BEFORE 39TH WEEK. (a) Requires the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to achieve cost savings with improved outcomes by adopting and implementing quality initiatives that are evidence-based, tested, and fully consistent with established standards of clinical care and that are designed to reduce the number of elective or nonmedically indicated induced deliveries or cesarean sections performed at a hospital on a medical assistance recipient before the 39th week of gestation.
(b) Requires HHSC to coordinate with physicians, hospitals, managed care organizations, and HHSC's billing contractor for the medical assistance program to develop a process for collecting information regarding the number of induced deliveries and cesarean sections described by Subsection (a) that occur during prescribed periods.
SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 241, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 241.007, as follows:
Sec. 241.007. INDUCED DELIVERIES OR CESAREAN SECTIONS BEFORE 39TH WEEK. Requires a hospital that provides obstetrical services to collaborate with physicians providing services at the hospital to develop quality initiatives to reduce the number of elective or nonmedically indicated induced deliveries or cesarean sections performed at the hospital on a woman before the 39th week of gestation.
SECTION 3. (a) Requires HHSC to conduct a study to assess the effects of the quality initiatives adopted under Section 32.0313, Human Resources Code, as added by this Act, and Section 241.007, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, on infant health and frequency of infant admissions to neonatal intensive care units and hospital readmissions for mothers and infants.
(b) Requires HHSC, not later than December 1, 2012, to submit a written report containing the findings of the study conducted under this section together with the commission's recommendations to the standing committees of the senate and house of representatives having primary jurisdiction over public health.
SECTION 4. Requires a state agency, if necessary for implementation of a provision of this Act, to request a waiver or authorization from a federal agency, and authorizes delay of implementation until such waivers or authorizations are granted.
SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 2011.