AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Interested parties explain that hemophilia is a rare, usually inherited, bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot properly, creating an increased risk for brain trauma, serious bruising, or internal bleeding in joints or muscles. To avoid these risks, individuals with hemophilia and similar bleeding disorders must strictly adhere to their treatment plans, which involve intravenous infusions of blood clotting factor concentrates and often cost over $250,000 per year.

 

The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) hemophilia assistance program provides assistance in purchasing blood clotting factor products for eligible Texans, but the parties assert that the program currently provides benefits to only a handful of individuals due in part to the high costs of these products.

 

H.B. 1038 authorizes DSHS to provide insurance premium payment assistance to eligible persons with hemophilia. The premium payments would be in addition to an existing DSHS program that provides financial assistance for eligible persons to obtain blood, blood derivatives and concentrates, and other substances for use in medical or dental facilities or in the home.  This would enhance the program's assistance options to allow a larger population to be served in a more cost-effective manner.

 

H.B. 1038 amends current law relating to premium payment assistance for insurance coverage for hemophilia medical treatment.

 

[Note: While the statutory reference in this bill is to the Texas Department of Health (TDH), the following amendments affect the Department of State Health Services, as the successor agency to TDH.]

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Section 41.002, Health and Safety Code by adding Subsection (d) to authorize the Texas Department of Health (TDH), in addition to providing financial assistance under Subsection (c) (requiring TDH to provide, through approved providers, financial assistance for medically eligible persons in obtaining blood, blood derivatives and concentrates, and other substances for use in medical or dental facilities or in the home), to assist an eligible person in obtaining insurance by providing premium payment assistance.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2015.