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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to certain childbirths occurring before the 39th week of |
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gestation. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Human Resources Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 32.0313 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 32.0313. INDUCED DELIVERIES OR CESAREAN SECTIONS |
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BEFORE 39TH WEEK. (a) The department shall achieve cost savings |
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with improved outcomes by adopting and implementing quality |
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initiatives that are evidence-based, tested, and fully consistent |
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with established standards of clinical care and that are designed |
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to reduce the number of elective or nonmedically indicated induced |
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deliveries or cesarean sections performed at a hospital on a |
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medical assistance recipient before the 39th week of gestation. |
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(b) The department shall coordinate with physicians, |
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hospitals, managed care organizations, and the department's |
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billing contractor for the medical assistance program to develop a |
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process for collecting information regarding the number of induced |
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deliveries and cesarean sections described by Subsection (a) that |
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occur during prescribed periods. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 241, Health and Safety |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 241.007 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 241.007. INDUCED DELIVERIES OR CESAREAN SECTIONS |
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BEFORE 39TH WEEK. A hospital that provides obstetrical services |
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shall collaborate with physicians providing services at the |
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hospital to develop quality initiatives to reduce the number of |
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elective or nonmedically indicated induced deliveries or cesarean |
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sections performed at the hospital on a woman before the 39th week |
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of gestation. |
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SECTION 3. (a) The Health and Human Services Commission |
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shall conduct a study to assess the effects of the quality |
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initiatives adopted under Section 32.0313, Human Resources Code, as |
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added by this Act, and Section 241.007, Health and Safety Code, as |
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added by this Act, on infant health and frequency of infant |
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admissions to neonatal intensive care units and hospital |
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readmissions for mothers and infants. |
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(b) Not later than December 1, 2012, the Health and Human |
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Services Commission shall submit a written report containing the |
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findings of the study conducted under this section together with |
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the commission's recommendations to the standing committees of the |
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senate and house of representatives having primary jurisdiction |
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over public health. |
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SECTION 4. If before implementing any provision of this Act |
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a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a |
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federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, |
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the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or |
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authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the |
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waiver or authorization is granted. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |