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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the designation of centers of excellence for fetal care |
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and healthy outcomes in this state. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 241, Health and Safety |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 241.010 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 241.010. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE FOR FETAL CARE AND |
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HEALTHY OUTCOMES. (a) The department shall designate as a center |
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of excellence for fetal care and healthy outcomes one or more |
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hospitals licensed under this chapter that provide comprehensive |
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maternal, fetal, and neonatal health care for pregnant women with |
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high-risk medical complications and for fetuses with congenital |
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anomalies and genetic conditions. |
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(b) The executive commissioner of the Health and Human |
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Services Commission, in consultation with the department, shall |
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adopt rules establishing the criteria necessary for a hospital in |
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this state to be designated in this state as a center of excellence |
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for fetal care and healthy outcomes. |
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(c) The rules adopted under Subsection (b) must prioritize |
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awarding a designation under this section to a hospital that: |
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(1) offers fetal diagnosis, care, and healthy outcomes |
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through an extensive multi-specialty clinical and research program |
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that is affiliated and collaborates extensively with a public |
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medical school in this state; |
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(2) demonstrates a significant commitment to research |
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and advanced training in fetal diagnosis, care, and healthy |
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outcomes; |
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(3) offers one or more accredited fellowships for |
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advanced training in fetal diagnosis, care, and healthy outcomes; |
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and |
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(4) integrates an advanced fetal care program with a |
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program that provides long-term monitoring and follow-up care for |
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congenital anomalies and genetic conditions. |
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(d) The rules adopted under Subsection (b) must ensure that |
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a designation under this section is based directly on a hospital's |
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ability to: |
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(1) achieve cost-effectiveness in health care |
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treatment; |
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(2) implement and maintain a cohesive |
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multidisciplinary structure for its health care team; |
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(3) exceed critical thresholds for physician and |
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patient volumes and for physician experience; |
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(4) report and monitor short-term and long-term |
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patient outcomes; and |
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(5) demonstrate an improvement in short-term and |
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long-term patient outcomes as compared to other hospitals offering |
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fetal care and healthy outcomes in this state. |
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SECTION 2. (a) The executive commissioner of the Health and |
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Human Services Commission shall adopt the rules required by Section |
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241.010, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, not later |
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than December 1, 2015. |
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(b) Not later than September 1, 2016, the Department of |
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State Health Services shall begin awarding designations required by |
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Section 241.010, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, to |
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hospitals establishing eligibility under that section. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |