84R9441 AAF-F
 
  By: Otto H.B. No. 1762
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the creation of a health care advocacy program for
  veterans.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 434, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 434.023 to read as follows:
         Sec. 434.023.  HEALTH CARE ADVOCACY PROGRAM FOR VETERANS.
  (a)  In this section, "veteran" means a person who has served in:
               (1)  the army, navy, air force, coast guard, or marine
  corps of the United States; or
               (2)  the Texas National Guard as defined by Section
  431.001.
         (b)  The commission by rule shall establish and implement a
  health care advocacy program to assist veterans in gaining access
  to health care facilities of the United States Department of
  Veterans Affairs.
         (c)  The program shall provide assistance to veterans by:
               (1)  resolving any access issues raised by veterans in
  this state or referred to the commission by the veterans toll-free
  hotline operated under Section 161.077, Natural Resources Code;
               (2)  coordinating with the Veterans Health
  Administration of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
  to support the health care advocacy program established under this
  section;
               (3)  coordinating with health care providers in this
  state to expand providers' opportunities to treat veterans through
  the United States Department of Veterans Affairs;
               (4)  reviewing and researching programs, projects, and
  initiatives designed to address the health care needs of veterans; 
               (5)  evaluating the effectiveness of the efforts of the
  commission to improve access to health care services for veterans;
               (6)  making recommendations to the executive director
  of the commission to improve health care services and assistance
  for veterans;
               (7)  incorporating veterans' health care issues into
  the commission's strategic plan required under Section 2056.002;
               (8)  assisting veterans in securing benefits and
  services; and
               (9)  recommending legislative initiatives and policies
  at the local, state, and national levels to address issues
  affecting health care for veterans.
         (d)  The executive director of the commission shall appoint a
  program coordinator to administer the health care advocacy program.
         (e)  The commission shall provide facilities as appropriate
  to support the program to the extent funding is available for that
  purpose.
         SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act but not later than January 1, 2016, the Texas Veterans
  Commission shall establish the health care advocacy program for
  veterans as required under Section 434.023, Government Code, as
  added by this Act, and the Texas Veterans Commission shall adopt any
  rules necessary to implement the program.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2015.