BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2020

By: Crownover

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In recent years, wellness policies and programs in both the private and public sector have become more prevalent.  As these programs have been implemented, experience has shown that programs with higher employee participation and devoted sponsoring entities are more successful. Interested parties assert that the most successful wellness programs include financial incentives for employee participation and on-site clinics and pharmacy services provided by the employer.

H.B. 2020 seeks to allow state agencies to develop and implement wellness programs that provide such financial incentives and services in an effort to curb increasing costs related to chronic health conditions and disease management and to help state employees benefit from reduced health care costs and live happier, more productive lives. 

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. 2020 amends the Government Code to authorize a state agency to develop a wellness program designed to increase work productivity and capacity and reduce health insurance costs, to provide financial incentives for participation in such a wellness program after the agency establishes a written policy with objective criteria for providing the incentives, to offer on-site clinic or pharmacy services, and to adopt additional wellness policies as determined by the agency.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2013.