AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

H.B. 2974 creates a joint interim committee to study TRS-Care and TRS-ActiveCare. The committee will examine the financial soundness of the plans; the cost and affordability of plan coverage to persons eligible for coverage under the plans; and the sufficiency of access to physicians and health care providers under the plans.

 

H.B. 2974 amends current law relating to the creation of a joint interim committee to undertake a study of health benefit plans administered by the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.

 

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. CREATION OF JOINT INTERIM COMMITTEE. (a)  Provides that a joint interim committee is created to study and review the health benefit plans, including TRS-Care and TRS-ActiveCare, operated under Chapters 1575 (Texas Public School Employees Group Benefits Program) and 1579 (Texas School Employees Uniform Group Health Coverage), Insurance Code, and propose reforms to address issues described by Section 2 of this Act.

 

(b) Requires the joint interim committee to be composed of three senators appointed by the lieutenant governor and three members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

 

(c) Requires the lieutenant governor and speaker of the house of representatives to each designate a co-chair from among the joint interim committee members.

 

(d)  Requires the joint interim committee to convene at the joint call of the co-chairs.

 

(e) Provides that the joint interim committee has all other powers and duties provided to a special or select committee by the rules of the senate and house of representatives, by Subchapter B (Legislative Reorganization Act), Chapter 301, Government Code, and by policies of the senate and house committees on administration.

 

SECTION 2. INTERIM STUDY REGARDING CERTAIN HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS. Requires the joint interim committee created by Section 1 of this Act to study the health benefit plans, including TRS-Care and TRS-ActiveCare, operated under Chapters 1575 and 1579, Insurance Code, to examine and assess the following issues:

 

(1) the financial soundness of the plans;

 

(2) the cost and affordability of plan coverage to persons eligible for coverage under the plans; and

 

(3) the sufficiency of access to physicians and health care providers under the plans.

 

SECTION 3. COMMITTEE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. (a) Requires the joint interim committee, not later than January 15, 2017, to report the committee's findings and recommendations to the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the governor. Requires the joint interim committee to include in its recommendations specific statutory and regulatory changes that appear necessary from the results of the committee's study under Section 2 of this Act.

 

(b) Requires the lieutenant governor and speaker of the house of representatives, not later than the 60th day after the effective date of this Act, to appoint the members of the joint interim committee created under Section 1 of this Act in accordance with that section.

 

SECTION 4. ABOLITION OF COMMITTEE. Provides that the joint interim committee created by this Act is abolished and this Act expires January 20, 2017.

 

SECTION 5.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 0215.