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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a commission to study neonatal intensive care units. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Commission" means the Neonatal Intensive Care |
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Unit Commission established under this section. |
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(2) "Executive commissioner" means the executive |
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commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission. |
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(b) The executive commissioner shall create and appoint the |
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members of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Commission as provided |
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by Subsection (d) of this section to study and make recommendations |
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regarding neonatal intensive care unit operating standards and |
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reimbursement through the Medicaid program for services provided to |
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an infant admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit. |
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(c) The commission shall: |
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(1) develop standards for operating a neonatal |
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intensive care unit in this state; |
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(2) develop an accreditation process for a neonatal |
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intensive care unit to receive reimbursement for services provided |
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through the Medicaid program; and |
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(3) study and make recommendations regarding best |
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practices and protocols to lower admissions to a neonatal intensive |
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care unit. |
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(d) The executive commissioner shall appoint the following |
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as members of the commission: |
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(1) four neonatologists, at least two of whom must |
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practice in a Level IIIC neonatal intensive care unit; |
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(2) one general pediatrician; |
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(3) two general obstetrician-gynecologists; |
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(4) two maternal fetal medicine specialists; |
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(5) one family practice physician who provides |
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obstetrical care and practices in a rural community; |
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(6) one representative from a children's hospital; |
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(7) one representative from a hospital with a Level II |
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neonatal intensive care unit; and |
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(8) one representative from a rural hospital. |
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(e) The executive commissioner shall designate a member of |
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the commission to serve as presiding officer. The members of the |
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commission shall elect any other necessary officers. |
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(f) The commission shall meet at the call of the executive |
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commissioner. |
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(g) A member of the commission serves at the will of the |
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executive commissioner. |
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(h) A member of the commission is not entitled to |
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reimbursement of expenses or to compensation. |
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(i) The commission may accept gifts and grants from any |
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source to be used to carry out a function of the commission. |
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(j) Not later than January 1, 2013, the commission shall |
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submit a report to the executive commissioner, the governor, the |
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lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, |
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and the chairs of the appropriate legislative committees on its |
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findings and recommendations required by this section. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2011, the executive |
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commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall |
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appoint the members of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Commission |
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as required by Section 1 of this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act expires June 1, 2013. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |