82R6420 SJM-D

By: Coleman H.B. No. 2299

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the operation of the women's health program demonstration project.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Sections 32.0248(a), (g), (h), and (i), Human Resources Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) The department shall operate [establish] a [five-year] demonstration project through the medical assistance program to expand access to preventive health and family planning services for women. A woman eligible under Subsection (b) to participate in the demonstration project may receive appropriate preventive health and family planning services, including:

(1) medical history recording and evaluation;

(2) physical examinations;

(3) health screenings, including screening for:

(A) diabetes;

(B) cervical cancer;

(C) breast cancer;

(D) sexually transmitted diseases;

(E) hypertension;

(F) cholesterol; and

(G) tuberculosis;

(4) counseling and education on contraceptive methods emphasizing the health benefits of abstinence from sexual activity to recipients who are not married, except for counseling and education regarding emergency contraception;

(5) provision of contraceptives, except for the provision of emergency contraception;

(6) risk assessment; and

(7) referral of medical problems to appropriate providers [that are entities or organizations that do not perform or promote elective abortions or contract or affiliate with entities that perform or promote elective abortions].

(g) Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, the department shall submit a report to the legislature regarding the department's progress in [establishing and] operating the demonstration project.

(h) The department shall ensure the money spent under the demonstration project, regardless of the funding source, is not used to perform or promote elective abortions. [The department, for the purpose of the demonstration project, may not contract with entities that perform or promote elective abortions or are affiliates of entities that perform or promote elective abortions.]

(i) This section expires September 1, 2016 [2011].

SECTION 2. If before implementing Section 32.0248, Human Resources Code, as amended by this Act, a state agency determines that an amendment to the existing waiver or other authorization is necessary to extend the operation of the demonstration project for women's health care services under that section as amended, the agency affected by the provision shall request the amendment to the waiver or other authorization and may delay implementing that section until the amendment or other authorization is granted.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect August 31, 2011.